Greece's Rehhagel agrees two-year deal

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has agreed to stay with the European champions for another two years, hoping to lead them to a successful defence of their title.

"The renewal of our co-operation is something all of Greece has been waiting for," said Greek Football Federation president Vassilis Gagatsis.

"We want Otto Rehhagel. We made an early offer because we believe he will once again lead us where all Greeks hope to go."

The 2008 tournament, for which Greece need to qualify, will be co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

"I had other offers," Rehhagel said. "(But) my heart was here with the Greek national team. The entire time I worked here we developed a personal relationship."

Rehhagel, whose extension will make him the longest serving national coach in Greece, took over an unfancied side in 2001 and led them to a stunning European championship victory in Portugal last year.

However, they failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals after finishing fourth in their group last month.

"We were all really disappointed that we didn't qualify. I wanted their assurance that we would give it 100 per cent to qualify for Euro 2008 and I had that assurance," he said.

In 53 games under Rehhagel, Greece have won 27, drawn 13 and lost 13, by far the team's best coaching record.

Even before their victory in the final against hosts Portugal in July 2004, the FA had offered Rehhagel an extension of his contract that runs out at the end of the year.