Josef Hickersberger, who has quit as coach of Austria. Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images

Josef Hickersberger has resigned from his position as the coach of Austria just a day before the Austrian Football Federation was set to decide on his future. Hickersberger, who has led the team since January 2006, informed Federation president Friedrich Stickler of his decision yesterday, citing tiredness as the main reason for his departure.

“I am empty and tired, I need a time off to recharge the batteries. Chapter closed, mission accomplished,” he told the Austrian newspaper Der Standard. His contract had been due to expire in December.

Hickersberger took charge of Austria’s disappointing Euro 2008 campaign, in which the co-hosts picked up a solitary point and scored only one goal, Ivica Vastic’s stoppage-time penalty which rescued a draw against Poland in their second game.

That gave Austria a glimmer of hope of qualifying from their group at the expense of neighbours Germany, who they met in their final match. There was to be no fairytale ending however, as Michael Ballack’s thunderous free-kick sealed Austria’s fate.

About this articleCloseThis article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Tuesday June 24 2008. It was last updated at 12:27 on June 24 2008.

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