Christian Gross was left licking his wounds after 10 disastrous months at Spurs.

Now, he is healed – thanks in no small part to brothers Murat and Hakan Yakin, who will be England’s most dangerous opponents in Coimbra on Thursday.

The Yakin boys and Gross were the cornerstone of the most successful period in Basle’s history with two domestic championships in three seasons and an incredible run in the Champions League two years ago which saw them eliminate Celtic and Liverpool.

It has restored the reputation of Gross and made the Yakins integral parts of the Swiss national team.

"In my opinion they are the best two players Switzerland has. Although they are brothers, they are very different as players – but both extremely good," says Gross.

"I had them at Grasshoppers before I came to England and when I went back to Basle, I wanted to bring them together again. Everyone knows wherever I go, I like Murat and Hakan Yakin to go. And it has worked well."

Of Turkish descent, Murat and Hakan have become Switzerland’s answer to the Charlton brothers. 28-year-old Murat plays the Jackie role, a commanding central defender, with Hakan, 27, being more creative with an explosive shot – a la Bobby.

"Murat (left) is my captain on the pitch, he is a real leader," explains Gross. "He is the guy the manager makes responsible for carrying out the tactical plan. He organises the other players.

"Hakan is more brilliant on the ball and can win a lot of free kicks around the penalty area with his clever play.

His best position is just behind two main strikers and that is how Switzerland play him with Stephane Chapuisat and Alexander Frei.

"Both brothers have an explosive shot as well so England don’t want to give away too many set pieces."

Gross plucked Murat back from the Bundesliga in 2001 and Basle won the title in their first full season with the brothers reunited.

The following season, they lit up Europe – beating Celtic in a Champions League qualifier and then advancing ahead of Liverpool in the first group stage, after two draws with Gerard Houllier’s men.

This season, the brothers have had funny seasons despite Basle winning another championship. Murat underwent thigh surgery in March after an injury-hit campaign while Hakan went to Paris St Germain, returned to Basle, and then ended up with Stuttgart.

Even so, Gross doesn’t think the season will effect the boys at Euro 2004.

"Hakan is 27 and wanted to go abroad. At this stage of his career, I think it has been an important step," says Gross. "He is an exceptional player in my view and can open up defences at a stroke.

"I think the lay-off might have helped Murat. It has helped him to sit back and appreciate what he has as a footballer. Sometimes, setbacks can make a player more mature."

The unhappy experiences Gross went through at White Hart Lane make him keener to discuss his own players from Switzerland than the best England has to offer.

But he does make one prediction – Sven’s men can write Switzerland off at their peril.

"If the match was on paper, England would win. But if Switzerland can play above themselves on the day, they have a chance," he says.