Soccer-Greek FA expect decision on Rehhagel contract by March

ATHENS, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Greece coach Otto Rehhagel will inform the Greek Football Association by March whether he will renew his contract with the European champions until the 2010 World Cup, an FA source said on Tuesday.

Rehhagel, who led an unfancied team to a shock triumph at Euro 2004, has not said if he wants to extend his current contract which expires after Euro 2008.

The German is not only Greece's most successful coach but also their longest-serving. His team qualified top of their group for this year's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

"Essentially we are waiting for his answer. We expect this to come in early March," the FA source told Reuters. "The position of the FA has been made clear."

FA president Vassilis Gagatsis has repeatedly said he wanted Rehhagel to stay on at least until 2010.

Rehhagel took over as Greece coach in 2001 and in his first match in charge saw his side lose to Finland 5-1.

But since then he has managed to break every single Greek national team coaching record and in 75 matches in charge he recorded 40 wins, 16 draws and 19 defeats. (Writing by Karolos Grohmann, Editing by Trevor Huggins)