He took the club to the first division within two years and in 1997 qualified for the UEFA Cup, where 1860 was ousted in the first round by Austrian team Rapid Wien. In 2000, he led 1860 into the qualification for the Champions League, where the team lost against Leeds United with 2–1 and 1–0.
Within two years, he guided 1860 to success in the first division. In 1997, 1860 qualified for the UEFA Cup, but were defeated by Rapid Wien in the first round.  In 2000, under his leadership, 1860 reached the Champions League qualification stage, where they lost against Leeds United with a score of 2–1 and 1–0.