DAKAR — The president of the Senegal Football Federation says he hopes to name a new coach within two weeks.
Spokesman Augustin Senghor explained Senegal’s recent presidential elections had slowed the search for a replacement for Amara Traoré. “Now the elections are behind us, I think the government will be further in place next week,” he told BBC Sport.
“Then it will be a priority for us to talk to the new minister of sport to finalise the new coach.” Senegal have been without a coach since sacking Traoré shortly after their first round exit from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Senghor says they have already had coaches from around the world expressing an interest in the Teranga Lions job.
“We have several requests of great coaches coming from all around the world,” he said.
“They want to lead the Senegal team. The reason for me is simple — they know we have players with very good potential and that we have the chance to go to the next Afcon or World Cup.
“But what we want to do is find the best coach for our team, because it is time now for us to prove that we are not losers all the time.”
Despite reaching the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals the Teranga Lions have never lifted the Afcon.
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Senghor seemed to distance himself from reports in the Senegalese media that former Egypt coach Hassan Shehata was being lined up to take over.
“Shehata is a very good coach, but there may be a problem of language because we are not sure that he can work or speak with the players in English or French,” he said.
“And we don’t have enough time to work with interpreters or translators, which is why the language will be very important.
“We have a profile with some criteria — competence and experience — but we also need a charismatic coach.” — BBC Sport
