Rehhagel denies Greece contract talks

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel on Tuesday strongly denied reports that he had held contract talks with the Greek Football Federation (EPO).

“It is not normal for me to talk about press reports, but I am obliged to do so because what was written about me talking to the president of the federation about my contract, and in which I was not happy, is totally false,” the German insisted.

Rehhagel added: “We did not talk about a renewal of my contract nor about financial terms.

“I am confounded because we are in preparation for the World Cup now and that it the only thing which concerns me and the matches we will be giving in South Africa.”

On Monday the 71-year-old met with EPO president Sofocles Pilavios and no statement was issued afterwards, leading to Greek reports saying that the German coach was not happy with a proposed 30 percent pay cut in his next contract due to the ongoing financial crisis in the country.

Rehhagel’s contract, reportedly worth 80,000 euros a month, runs out after the World Cup this summer and it is the longest running of any coach for the Greek national team entering its ninth year.

He has said in an interview on Greek television that his final decision on a new contract would only be made after the June 11-July 11 World Cup.

EPO has expressed its desire for Rehhagel to stay on for another two years to put Greece through to the Euro 2012 competition.

Rehhagel led Greece to a surprise Euro 2004 title and has helped the team to qualify for Euro 2008 and the World Cup, in which the Greeks will be making only their second appearance.