Coach Luc Eymael (in photo above) has revealed his plans and shared a bit of his working proposal for the Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars and the country’s local coaches if he secures the national team appointment with our media house here at Songhai Sports Network. (Songhai Sports Network is the Parent company for African Sports TV and African Sports Monthly Magazine.
Eymael is one of the six shortlisted coaches battling for the Leone Stars job and the Belgian tactician in an exclusive interview with Songhai Sports Network said he has already developed a 25 pages project for Sierra Leone.
Eymael is one of the six shortlisted coaches battling for the Leone Stars job and the Belgian tactician in an exclusive interview with Songhai Sports Network said he has already developed a 25 pages project for Sierra Leone.
See the full interview with Songhai Sports Network Africa Bureau Chief Sahr Morris Jr below:
ASM: What is your take on been shortlisted for the Leone Stars job?
Luc Eymael: First I was surprised because it was an agent who did the job and I didn't know for which country. You should also know that I was shortlisted in the last eight for the Ivory Coast job a few weeks ago. For me it is an honour to be shortlisted for Sierra Leone because there is work to do in your country for local football.
ASM: Are you confident of securing the job over others and if yes why?
Luc Eymael: No I am not specifically confident to secure the job because in life nothing is sure. Before you sign your contract one thing is sure.
I have a very good experience in Africa and every team that I have managed has played very good football and obtained good results.
For example in Tunisia we finished eighth but it was the best results of the past ten years for my club so you really can’t compare a club like that with giants like Espérance Tunis, Club African, and Eetoile Sahel.
ASM: Do you think you are the right man to return the country to past football glories?
Luc Eymael: Only God knows if I am the right man but I can only say that I am a hard worker, passionate about my job and a guy who loves Africa and I always give my best at 100 % wherever I go.
ASM: What new thing can you bring to our national team?
Luc Eymael: I will work for your national team, but for your local football I will collaborate with local coaches. I would also like to put in place a national centre where we could have meetings with the national coaches of all categories to work in detail like it is done in Europe.
Everybody has to work with the same methods, tactically, and technically, and for the fitness. I also have other good ideas that I have developed in my project of 25 pages but I cannot explain everything in this interview.
ASM: You stated earlier about the Ivory Coast job are you disappointed not having it?
Luc Eymael: For the job of Ivory Coast I am not disappointed it is a choice and they signed the Frenchmen Dussuyer who is also a good coach and also a hard worker but they like the French in Ivory Coast... lol and they forgot that Belgium is now number 3 in the FIFA ranking and has been number two few months ago.
ASM: If given the job can you make it to the 2017 African Nations Cup despite Sierra Leone starting out with a defeat to Sudan?
Luc Eymael: The Nation Cup you mean? ...It will certainly not be easy because of the first loss and also because next match will be against Ivory Coast and in this group Gabon is automatically qualified since they are the AFCON host and I am no stranger with Gabonese football as I have been champion there. However, in life we can say that as long as there is life there is hope. When you enter the pitch despite whoever your opponent it is always good to do your best and try to win the game
ASM: Before rounding up, can you take us through your coaching career?
Luc Eymael: Before moving to Africa, I had the chance to manage in the young categories in Belgium with the likes of Eden hazard , Christian Benteke , Axel Witsel and Guillaume Gillet who are very good players of our national team.
In 2010 my first year in Africa football I was a champion of DR Congo with Vita club before TP Mazembe , and winner of the national Super Cup of DRC. We also reached the quarter final in the CAF Champions League.
In 2011, I won the championships in Gabon with Missile FC and the quarter final in the Confederations Cup. In 2012 we finished fourth in Gabon with the same team and participated in Champions League. In 2013 we finished 2nd and winner of national cup with AFC Leopards of Kenya.
In June 2015 JS Kairouan finished 8th in the Tunisian league and it was their best results in matter of points in the past ten years. Now I am still working with them but I did not renew my contract so I am free agent.
ASM: Thank you very much for your time
Luc Eymael: It a pleasure and I am looking forward to be in Sierra Leone
ASM: What is your take on been shortlisted for the Leone Stars job?
Luc Eymael: First I was surprised because it was an agent who did the job and I didn't know for which country. You should also know that I was shortlisted in the last eight for the Ivory Coast job a few weeks ago. For me it is an honour to be shortlisted for Sierra Leone because there is work to do in your country for local football.
ASM: Are you confident of securing the job over others and if yes why?
Luc Eymael: No I am not specifically confident to secure the job because in life nothing is sure. Before you sign your contract one thing is sure.
I have a very good experience in Africa and every team that I have managed has played very good football and obtained good results.
For example in Tunisia we finished eighth but it was the best results of the past ten years for my club so you really can’t compare a club like that with giants like Espérance Tunis, Club African, and Eetoile Sahel.
ASM: Do you think you are the right man to return the country to past football glories?
Luc Eymael: Only God knows if I am the right man but I can only say that I am a hard worker, passionate about my job and a guy who loves Africa and I always give my best at 100 % wherever I go.
ASM: What new thing can you bring to our national team?
Luc Eymael: I will work for your national team, but for your local football I will collaborate with local coaches. I would also like to put in place a national centre where we could have meetings with the national coaches of all categories to work in detail like it is done in Europe.
Everybody has to work with the same methods, tactically, and technically, and for the fitness. I also have other good ideas that I have developed in my project of 25 pages but I cannot explain everything in this interview.
ASM: You stated earlier about the Ivory Coast job are you disappointed not having it?
Luc Eymael: For the job of Ivory Coast I am not disappointed it is a choice and they signed the Frenchmen Dussuyer who is also a good coach and also a hard worker but they like the French in Ivory Coast... lol and they forgot that Belgium is now number 3 in the FIFA ranking and has been number two few months ago.
ASM: If given the job can you make it to the 2017 African Nations Cup despite Sierra Leone starting out with a defeat to Sudan?
Luc Eymael: The Nation Cup you mean? ...It will certainly not be easy because of the first loss and also because next match will be against Ivory Coast and in this group Gabon is automatically qualified since they are the AFCON host and I am no stranger with Gabonese football as I have been champion there. However, in life we can say that as long as there is life there is hope. When you enter the pitch despite whoever your opponent it is always good to do your best and try to win the game
ASM: Before rounding up, can you take us through your coaching career?
Luc Eymael: Before moving to Africa, I had the chance to manage in the young categories in Belgium with the likes of Eden hazard , Christian Benteke , Axel Witsel and Guillaume Gillet who are very good players of our national team.
In 2010 my first year in Africa football I was a champion of DR Congo with Vita club before TP Mazembe , and winner of the national Super Cup of DRC. We also reached the quarter final in the CAF Champions League.
In 2011, I won the championships in Gabon with Missile FC and the quarter final in the Confederations Cup. In 2012 we finished fourth in Gabon with the same team and participated in Champions League. In 2013 we finished 2nd and winner of national cup with AFC Leopards of Kenya.
In June 2015 JS Kairouan finished 8th in the Tunisian league and it was their best results in matter of points in the past ten years. Now I am still working with them but I did not renew my contract so I am free agent.
ASM: Thank you very much for your time
Luc Eymael: It a pleasure and I am looking forward to be in Sierra Leone
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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