Kuhn Thanks Swiss Camp as Wife Remains Ill

Kuhn has been visiting his wife every day during breaks in the squad`s training programme.

Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn paid tribute to his support staff on Friday as he prepared for Saturday's Euro 2008 opener with his wife still in hospital after a serious epileptic attack.

Kuhn said the backing of the entire Swiss camp had helped get him through the week.

"I have had a fantastic team around me beginning with the players themselves," said the 64-year-old on the eve of the match with Czech Republic in Basel.

"To the last man they have supported me and given me the courage and confidence to be here now. I give my compliments to the whole team."

Kuhn has been visiting his wife every day during breaks in the squad's training programme.

The Swiss Football Association (FA) said in a statement Alice Kuhn remained in a stable condition and there had been signs of progress since her sudden collapse on Monday.

But the statement did not say if she had regained consciousness after being put in an artificial coma by doctors at Zurich's University Hospital.

CONTINGENCY PLAN

Earlier, the FA said it had prepared a contingency plan in the unlikely event Kuhn was forced to quit the team.

"We are assuming the coach will be able to continue his duties during Euro 2008," team manager Ernst Laemmli told reporters.

"We have made sure, however, we know how things would carry on should anything unexpected happen to change that."

Kuhn is due to step down at the end of Euro 2008 to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Laemmli said the FA's plan did not involve asking Hitzfeld to start the job early.

"I have been asked that a lot and can guarantee it is not an option," added the team manager.

"We already have a coaching team that is not just Koebi Kuhn. We have his assistant Michel Pont, who can take on some of the coach's responsibilities, along with the rest of the coaching staff."