Trossero gets approval after first training session

Switzerland's new football manager, Enzo Trossero, gets praise from his players Keystone

The new manager of Switzerland's national football squad, Enzo Trossero, has completed his first training session under the watchful eye of spectators and the glare of the cameras.

Trossero won applause for his coaching style from several of the team’s leading personalities. Shortly after the session, the goalkeeper, Pascal Zuberbühler, who is heading to his new club Bayer Leverkusen said: “This manager has a clear direction. That’s evident right from the start. He’s strict but also full of optimism”.

“Trossero likes chatting and he’s very personable. He is also very straight with you, ” said Mario Cantaluppi, who had to cut short the coaching session due to a painful thigh strain. Andres Gerber, a Grasshoppers midfielder, added, “The session was all very practical and entertaining. But Trossero can get a little worked up over mistakes”.

Trossero’s first lesson took almost two hours and focussed on a variety of attacking strategies, in the style of one his predecessors, Roy Hodgson.

He said: “I want get to know the strengths and weaknesses of my players as quickly as possible. And to achieve this, I’m taking my time in talking to them individually and giving them my undivided attention. So far, I’m happy with their level of commitment”.

Stéphane Chapuisat, however, did not take part in the training. Shortly after arriving at the training centre in Yverdon, canton Vaud, the Grasshoppers’ striker was forced to return to Zurich. He was still suffering from muscular problems after over-exerting himself in a youth trial on Sunday.

Another player, who was in bad shape, was Kubilay Türkyilmaz. He limited himself to warming up and stretching exercises, while complaining that he still had a painful infection inside his left ankle.

Even though not all players will be able to stay on to the end of the training camp on Wednesday, due to club commitments, Trossero is taking it all in his stride: “If anyone can’t make it, they don’t practice. That’s all. I trust my players. We need mutual trust and respect for a successful team effort”.

The Argentinian said he was determined to take the team all the way to the 2002 World Cup.

His first real test is on 16 August when Switzerland faces Greece in a friendly in St Gallen.

swissinfo with agencies