 Stephan took charge of Senegal in 2003 |
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) says national coach Guy Stephan is secure in his job despite the Teranga Lions' disappointing Nations Cup performance. According to a FSF spokesman, the Frenchman remains Senegal's national coach and "there are no indications of the FA deciding otherwise".
On Wednesday, Stephan presented his Nations Cup report to the FSF before travelling to France for a holiday.
The French coach took charge of Senegal in January 2003 and his contract runs until 2006.
Yet he was criticised after the Lions' lacklustre quarter-final exit to Tunisia in the Nations Cup and there was increasing speculation that Stephan could be sacked.
Stephan's tactics came under fire from star player Salif Diao and the Frenchman was blamed for not being firm on camp rules.
But according to local Senegalese daily Le Quotidien, the federation could not afford to fire the coach due to a protective clause in his contract.
Le Quotidien says Stephan could claim compensation for the remaining two years if he is pushed out.
Before Tunisia 2004, Senegal were hotly-fancied to reach the final, especially since they lost the 2002 final in Mali with an emerging side.
Stephan is now expected to see the Teranga Lions through the qualifying rounds of the 2006 World Cup and Nations Cup games.
Senegal have been drawn in Group 1 alongside Mali, Zambia, Togo, Liberia and Congo.
MMIX
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