Le Guen quits as Cameroon coach
Reuters - Thursday 24 June 2010, 21:15
CAPE TOWN - Cameroon's French coach Paul
Le Guen has quit after his side's exit from the World Cup where
they failed to earn a single point.
"My contract is coming up, and it was clear all along I
would stop now. Maybe I didn't succeed in unifying the team and
bringing the team together," Le Guen told reporters after a 2-1
loss to the Netherlands capped a miserable campaign that also
included losses to Japan and Denmark.
"I will not point figures or accuse anyone. I thought I
would have got better results with this match," he added.
The former Olympique Lyon and Rangers manager refused to
comment on rumours he may coach Australia.
Australia's coach Pim Verbeek is stepping down with his team
also eliminated from the 2010 World Cup in the group stage.
"I am at the end of this mission. It was planned to be this
way. I am going to think about the future and we will see," Le
Guen added.
Le Guen inspired a renaissance during Cameroon's World Cup
qualifying campaign last year, restoring his coaching
reputation.
Lyon signed him as the successor to Jacques Santini when he
was appointed France's manager in 2002. Lyon had won their first
Ligue 1 title under Santini but Le Guen took them to three more
championships.
At Rangers, he lasted just over six months after falling out
with his captain and sparking protests by fans outside the
ground but within weeks of his Scottish exit, Le Guen was back
working at former club Paris Saint-Germain, helping them to avoid
relegation at the end of the 2006/07 season.
But the club's fortunes did not improve much the season
after and Le Guen needed police protection from militant fans
angry at PSG's poor results. Despite reaching the French Cup
final, and winning the League Cup, under Le Guen, PSG decided in
May 2009 to let the coach go.
Le Guen signed a five-month contract with Cameroon in July
2009 and was tasked with turning around their stuttering
qualifying campaign. He insisted on bringing in support staff
and demanded the federation provide the squad with proper
facilities, equipment and top-class accommodation.
He then signed a contract extension to see Cameroon through
to the World Cup finals.
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