The German coach has led Kosovo to next month's World Cup play-offs and revealed that he took the job with the Balkan nation in 2024 as he loves the pressure of being responsible for a country's football fortunes.

Foda, who previously managed Austria from 2018 to 2022, told World Soccer magazine: "A job as national coach is always interesting and something special.

"As a national coach, you don't just represent one team but a whole country – and that's a big honour. That's why the post as national coach of Kosovo was very attractive for me."

Kosovo defied the odds to seal a place in the World Cup play-offs – where they will take on Slovakia in their semi-final tie – and Foda thinks that "team spirit" was one of the main reasons for his side's success.

He said: "The key for success was intensity, tactical discipline, mental strength and team spirit.

"Success arises when the idea for the play, the player types and team character all fit together. We had a clear team identity and we acted in each phase of the play as a team. That's what made us stand out."

Foda explained that he turned down a financially lucrative offer from Emirati club Al Wahda last year because he wants to lead Kosovo to their first-ever World Cup this summer.

He said: "I rejected the offer from Al Wahda because I had a running contract and because I felt responsibility and commitment towards my players. We still have goals that we want to reach together."

Kosovo will have a home match against either Turkey or Romania should they defeat Slovakia in their World Cup play-off but Foda isn't thinking too far ahead.

He said: "If we win in Slovakia, it doesn't matter who we play at home afterwards. We want to qualify for the World Cup – and for that we have to win two matches."