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Fate of the 32 SWC coaches

Paris - The Soccer World Cup will reap its usual harvest of coaching victims.

EARNED THEIR STRIPES

Joachim Loew (Germany)

'Yogi' has added a World Cup to the 2008 Euro final he guided Germany to and it may get better yet. The 54-year-old has continued his strategy of creative exciting football with a seemingly endless stream of talented players. Undemonstrative and exudes calm from the bench he has earned huge respect from his players over the eight years he has been in charge. "Everyone changes over ten years, you gain experiences, you have triumph and defeats, but what he has preserved is a clear-cut philosophy," said captain Philipp Lahm.

Jorge Luis Pinto (Costa Rica)

Could be considered unlucky not to be coach of the tournament having taken the unheralded Costa Ricans to their best ever showing, a remarkable quarter-final penalty shoot-out loss to the Dutch. "During this World Cup we've done very beautiful things. Many people didn't believe in us but we have seen we can achieve wonderful things," said the 61-year-old Colombian.

Didier Deschamps (France)

Earned praise for his stewardship of the French through to the last eight, but the Germans exposed their limitations. Has engendered a seemingly natural spirit of bonhomie in a previously angry and moody outfit but much will be expected of the 45-year-old in two years time when France host Euro 2016 and fans will look to this crop to emulate their 1984 forebears who won the trophy at home.

Marc Wilmots (Belgium)

Known as 'War Pig', did enough to be entrusted with taking his 'Red Devils' on another campaign for the Euro 2016 qualifiers and for which Belgium could be live candidates for their first major title. Got them to the last eight in Brazil but never really threatened to beat Argentina. "I think we were easily the youngest of the quarter-finalists and there is a bright future ahead," said the 45-year-old.

Miguel Herrera (Mexico)

Enhanced his reputation and that of Mexico's after they had made a total mess of qualifying which he had managed to rescue. The pugnacious 46-year-old -- nicknamed the 'Louse' -- looks set for a productive time in charge but may need to temper his language about referees if he is not to see his wallet seriously hit. "Out of four matches, we had three where the referee was disastrous," he moaned prior to flying home.

Jorge Sampaoli (Chile)

Good tournament but though Chile played pretty football they lacked a killer touch up front especially against Brazil. However the 54-year-old Argentinian has much to look forward to especially next year as they host the Copa America, a tournament they have never won and last appeared in the final in 1987.

Jose Pekerman (Colombia)

Argentinian will take away far happier memories of these finals than in 2006 where he also exited in the quarter-finals. Here he has been credited with the stylish football the Colombians played and his compatriots lacked. The 64-year-old former taxi driver's contract is up in August and he has not commented on what he will do, although the country's president Juan Manuel Santos is adamant for him to stay because he has handled the team with "with class and professionalism".

Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay)

Suave 67-year-old former teacher couldn't repeat the feat of the 2010 semi-finals but given the furore aroused by Luis Suarez's biting incident he probably got a pass mark. Certainly he thought so and all indications are he intends to take the Copa America champions to Chile next year. "We beat difficult teams and overcame statistics about not beating European teams that are always rubbed in our faces," he said.

Jurgen Klinsmann (United States)

Pushed Belgium all the way in last 16 which gives the charming German coach plenty to be enthused about as he sets his sights on the 2018 World Cup. The 49-year-old is keenly aware there are still steps to be taken to make them serious players. "I think there is a little bit too much respect when it comes to the big stage -- why not play them eye-to-eye? I don't know how many years that takes to change but it's something we have to go through," he said.

WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN TERMS

Ottmar Hitzfeld (Switzerland)

'Der General' ended his glittering career on a respectable last 16 showing with Switzerland who were two minutes away from taking Argentina to a penalty shootout. The 65-year-old took his place in the dugout despite the death of his brother on the eve of the game. "The job as a coach is difficult. I'm proud of my career. It has been a great time working for them (the Swiss) so I say goodbye with a heart full of emotions."

Fernando Santos (Greece)

The Portuguese asked for his contract not to be renewed before the finals and given the paucity of the football the Greeks produced many will be thankful he didn't stay on. After bowing out to Costa Rica on penalties the 59-year-old didn't pay a farewell visit to Athens with the squad but returned straightaway to Portugal where he lambasted them for going for individual glory.

Alejandro Sabella (Argentina)

Remarkable achievement in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup final since 1990 after just two years in charge and when several more recognised coaches had failed in the same role. However, looks like, according to his agent, the 61-year-old will seek new challenges after the final whatever happens. Timing of announcement coming 48 hours before final maybe his first misjudgment.

Louis van Gaal (NED)

Will arrive at Manchester United in the style any disciplinarian coach would wish for, with his authority enhanced leaving little room to argue with him. Masterstroke of replacing Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul for penalty shootout with Costa Rica tempered by negative unadventurous performance against Argentina. May not be the coup it seemed for United hiring the 62-year-old but then compared to David Moyes anything would be better.

Carlos Queiroz (Iran)

Did an honest job with Iran despite many difficulties but announced he would not stay on even before their elimination in the group stage was certain. The 61-year-old wants to take on an African team, he was born in Mozambique, and hopes he will have more support than he received with Iran.

Vahid Halilhodzic (Algeria)

Fiery Bosnian leaves the Algerian post having guided them into a historic second round place where they lost in extra-time to Germany. However, aside from almost non-existent relations with the domestic press the 61-year-old felt he needed to move on. "I leave proud of my record after serving out my contract with the FAF. Having lived for three years in Algeria, my family obligations and the attraction of new sporting challenges weighed heavily on my decision."

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)

Nigerian football is in turmoil but it has nothing to do with the coach. He guided them to the second round of the finals after landing the Africa Cup of Nations last year. He said he was shocked when it was announced he had resigned but it seems only a matter of time before that is confirmed and South Africa is his likely destination. "Resignations are not done on the pages of newspapers, but formally," said the 52-year-old.

FELL ON THEIR SWORD

Cesare Prandelli (Italy)

Debonair and erudite unlike England boss Roy Hodgson he didn't believe a first round exit was good enough and didn't waste time in announcing he would be leaving his post. The lack of support at home clearly played a huge role in his decision. "We're the only national team that leaves (for the World Cup) without the support of its own people, who then rely on us to carry the hopes of a nation," said the 56-year-old, who accepted the Galatasaray coach's position earlier this month.

Luis Suarez (Honduras)

No not the biting Uruguayan striker but the coach of Honduras who stepped down after they finished bottom of their group and still without a win in a World Cup finals which rounded off a miserable tournament for anyone of that name. "The whole country is disappointed and I'm sad because we didn't manage to reach the next round. That was our dream. It's time for a change," said the 54-year-old Colombian.

Sabri Lamouchi (Ivory Coast)

Fine line between success and failure perfectly illustrated by the 42-year-old rookie coach. A minute from time of their last group match the Ivory Coast and him were in the last 16... a penalty later they were out as Greece took their place and the Frenchman did the honourable thing and resigned. "My career carries on and there will be other defeats but I would have liked this adventure to finish in a different fashion,

Alberto Zaccheroni (Japan)

Italian veteran whose tenure in charge of Japan came to an understandable end when they went out in the first round. His 'Blue Samurai' lacked any cutting edge and he was criticised for his tactics and selection. "I haven't lost my passion for football, but retiring is also an option," said the 61-year-old, who nevertheless remains popular in Japan.

Hong Myung-Bo (South Korea)

Became the third of the four Asian coaches to resign despite the federation asking him to continue to next year's Asian Cup. The fans didn't think he should as they pelted the squad with toffees when they returned after a woeful first round exit. "When we left for the World Cup, I said we would give hope to the people but we ended up giving them disappointment. I really feel sorry about that," said the 45-year-old when he resigned on Thursday.

REPRIEVE DESPITE FIRST ROUND EXIT

Roy Hodgson (England)

Normally a first round exit by England entails a tabloid led campaign to oust the coach but Hodgson escaped that perhaps because of his amiable non-confrontational style. The 66-year-old has faith the young talent he blooded in Brazil can do something in Euro 2016 but aside from the opening 2-1 defeat by Italy the team showed little to encourage one that will be the case.

Fabio Capello (Russia)

Once again the authoritarian 68-year-old Italian failed to shine on the biggest stage of them all but the Russian federation insist he will stay for when they host the finals in 2018. However, the sentiment of the fans is not so favourable and a showering of the federation's headquarters with condoms may be the start of a people power campaign to oust him.

Paulo Bento (Portugal)

He is proving as tough a coach as he was a player and steadfastly refuses to leave his post despite an underwhelming campaign which included the hammering by Germany. Insists he will stay till Euro 2016 but hard to see where his fortunes will improve as players not coming through and Cristiano Ronaldo is going to be past 30 by that stage.

Niko Kovac (Croatia)

He survives to take Croatia into the Euro 2016 qualifiers despite a first round exit which the 42-year-old German-born coach could point to as a being a bit unlucky with respect to their opening defeat to hosts Brazil and a penalty that shouldn't have been given when they were locked at 1-1.

Volker Finke (Cameroon)

Probably the most careworn and fed up looking coach at the finals and with good reason. Cameroon were far from the 'Indomitable Lions' and the only fight they showed on the pitch was when Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butted team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. The 66-year-old German said their behaviour was unacceptable but has said he will stay on for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Ange Postecoglou (Australia)

Not many coaches who lose all three matches at the World Cup come out with their reputation intact but the Australia coach did. He achieved that with three honourable defeats to Spain, the Dutch and Chile and having changed their style for the better. The hosting of the Asian Cup beckons next year

Safet Susic (Bosnia)

Despite heavy criticism after a hugely disappointing first round exit the 59-year-old will be in charge for another two years after extending his contract for two years on Wednesday. "I said that to leave the team would be painful for me. And that moment has not yet come," said Susic.

SWORD OF DAMOCLES HANGING OVER THEM

Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil)

Behaving like a hard-nosed character that his lookalike Gene Hackman played in films he steadfastly says he will stay on despite failing spectacularly in the goal of bringing Brazil their sixth World Cup at home. In denial after the 3-0 humbling by the Netherlands for third place hiding behind the lightly-regarded Confed Cup win last year as proof his second spell is a success and says it is up to the federation to decide. The press and the fans have already declared against him.

Vicente del Bosque (Spain)

Departed so early he has almost been forgotten with all the drama that followed but the opening 5-1 hammering of his tired and ageing Spanish side by the Netherlands could be said to have set the tone. He had few ideas about how to change things round, indeed the main criticism of him is he should have done the cleaning out many months before the finals. Talks are due to take place about his future though he could well be retained for another two years.

Reinaldo Rueda (Ecuador)

His contract is up but the 57-year-old Colombian is hoping to be given another chance by the Ecuador federation after a respectable showing - their only loss was a last minute one to the Swiss - even if they failed to reach the second round. "I think we have done a good job," said Rueda, who also did a good job rebuilding morale after the shock death of leading striker Christian Benitez last year.

Kwesi Appiah (Ghana)

The African heroes of 2010 exited at the first stage and in disgrace with two of their better players sent home early for serious disciplinary issues. Appiah insists he will stay and is building for the future but the 54-year-old will more than likely have to do without Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng and his own position is far from secure.

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