a écrit le 4 janvier 2008 à 23h07 TIRANA (AFP) - Former China coach Arie Haan on Friday signed a two-year contract to coach Albania, national federation president Armando Duka confirmed.
The 59-year-old former Dutch and Ajax player replaces Croatia's Otto Baric who resigned after Albania controversially lost two qualifiers for Euro 2008.
The Dutchman will reportedly be paid 300,000 euro (443,000 dollars) for the two seasons, but will receive a bonus for every win by the national side.
Duka praised Haan's "iron discipline and overall footballing vision".
Haan said that his task would be to qualify his side for the World Cup.
"But if you think that with me Albania will win the World Cup I'm off right now," he joked.
"Albania have some strong rivals in their qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup, but the important thing is to win points and not to drop any."
Haan managed the China national team for two years during which time they reached the Asia Cup final in 2004.
But he arrives during a period of turmoil in Albanian football amid accusations of corruption and match fixing in international competitions.
Sports minister Ylli Pango recently called on European football governing body UEFA to probe Duka whom he claimed "sold" Albania's two Euro 2008 qualification games which they lost 4-2 to Belarus and 6-1 to Romania.
The 59-year-old former Dutch and Ajax player replaces Croatia's Otto Baric who resigned after Albania controversially lost two qualifiers for Euro 2008.
The Dutchman will reportedly be paid 300,000 euro (443,000 dollars) for the two seasons, but will receive a bonus for every win by the national side.
Duka praised Haan's "iron discipline and overall footballing vision".
Haan said that his task would be to qualify his side for the World Cup.
"But if you think that with me Albania will win the World Cup I'm off right now," he joked.
"Albania have some strong rivals in their qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup, but the important thing is to win points and not to drop any."
Haan managed the China national team for two years during which time they reached the Asia Cup final in 2004.
But he arrives during a period of turmoil in Albanian football amid accusations of corruption and match fixing in international competitions.
Sports minister Ylli Pango recently called on European football governing body UEFA to probe Duka whom he claimed "sold" Albania's two Euro 2008 qualification games which they lost 4-2 to Belarus and 6-1 to Romania.
