Zambian President Rupiah Banda says he will do all he can to keep national team coach Herve Renard in his post.
Renard claims that he has received offers from Senegal and from Ivorian club Asec Mimosas after he guided the Chipolopolo to a third-place finish at the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Frenchman's future with Zambia was already in doubt after the mining company that was sponsoring his salary withdrew from the deal earlier this year.
But Banda said he that does not want Renard to be lured away.
"Like a jealous husband, we shall defend our coach with all the means at our disposal," he said at a dinner for the team at State House,
"We would like him to complete what he has started and it wouldn't be wise for him to go and start elsewhere when he has gone so far.
We are going to do everything to keep you here so that you complete your work
Rupiah Banda
Zambia's achievement at the CHAN was their best finish in a major tournament since finishing third at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Banda warned countries and clubs wanting Renard's services that Zambia would not let go easily.
"Where were you when we found him?" he joked.
"He's our own. We are going to do everything to keep you here so that you complete your work."
Zambia are in Group C of the final phase of 2010 World Cup qualifying with Egypt, Rwanda and Algeria.
They play the Pharaoahs away at the end of the month.
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