By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport Online

No one could blame Guy Stephan for hesitating before eventually accepting the position of Senegal's new coach.

After all, trying to follow in the footsteps of former coach Bruno Metsu is going to be extremely difficult.

Senegal appoint Stephan

Metsu guided Senegal to their first World Cup finals - with his team defeating defending champions France in their opening game before going on to the quarter-finals.

The team also reached the final of this year's African Nations Cup, losing to Cameroon on penalties.

And all of this in just two years in charge of the Senegal team.

Metsu leaves Senegal

Accepting the job of coaching Senegal now comes with unrealistic expectations.

Supporters of the Dakar Lions will expect their team win the African Nations Cup trophy in 2004 and enjoy more success at the 2006 World Cup.

Friday's headline in Senegalese newspaper, Sud Quotidien tells it all: "The Lions set off for Nations Cup 2004 and World Cup 2006."

Metsu was popular with Senegal's players

And there is a further problem for Stephan to negotiate, another thorny strand to the legacy Metsu leaves behind.

Metsu was like a mentor to the players, a father figure who respected the players and in return got the best from them.

As Metsu used to say: "I am a coach and not a police officer. When it comes to work I do that, and if it is time to play we play."

If Stephan tries to impose European disciplinary virtues he could experience real problems.

The manner of Metsu's departure from his position as Senegal coach does not help Stephan either.

After the World Cup Metsu requested a sabbatical to coach in the United Arab Emirates before returning to coach the team ahead of the 2004 African Nations Cup

The Senegal Football Association refused and Metsu severed all ties - leaving several unhappy players demanding his return.

But Stephan does have factors in his favour.

He was assistant to France coach Roger Lemerre at the World Cup.

And as part of the team's preparations he watched Senegal extensively during their African Nations Cup campaign.

He should know all about the players he has available and how to get the best out of them.

He also has great experience, having coached at Lyon and Bordeaux.

With Metsu now coaching UAE team Al Ain maybe Stephan should start his new job by flying to Dubai and finding out the secret behind Senegal's success.