Lusaka, Zambia, June 26: The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has signalled that it will extend the contract of its national soccer team coach Patrice Beaumelle upon the expiry of the current deal at the end of next month.
FAZ Communications Manager, NkwetoTembwe told journalists in Lusaka that time was not on the side of the FA to start looking for a new manager for the national team to replace the French tactician.
FAZ Communications Manager, NkwetoTembwe told journalists in Lusaka that time was not on the side of the FA to start looking for a new manager for the national team to replace the French tactician.
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Tembwe explained that the FA has no time to start looking for a new coach because the team has a busy schedule ahead.
He also said the FA does not want to disturb the team’s current preparations for the upcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers campaign.
“There is no time to start looking for a new coach. We have a busy schedule and we already have a good coach. What we say is that Patrice will be in charge of Chipolopolo for the qualifiers,” Tembwe declared.
Reacting to the FA offer, Beaumelle explained that he was ready for a new deal and had already drawn up a plan for the national soccer team beyond next month.
However, he said though he was happy to stay on in Zambia, he would not be prepared to put a pen to paper for a new deal if the country’s FA did not give a nod to his conditions.
“If Zambia wants me with my conditions, I’m ready to move on but if they fail to accept what i want then we will shake hands, leave it there.
With the new contract you need to understand that I need the support of everyone, FAZ, government and Zambians,” Beaumelle was quoted by Post Online as saying.
Beaumelle took charge of Zambia soccer team after his compatriot Herve Renard stepped down following his [Renard] failure to steer Chipolopolo to the ongoing World Cup finals in Brazil.
According to the Post Online, Beaumelle was not offered a new deal following the departure of his mentor and worked on the same terms he signed as assistant coach which expires at the end of July.
He also said the FA does not want to disturb the team’s current preparations for the upcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers campaign.
“There is no time to start looking for a new coach. We have a busy schedule and we already have a good coach. What we say is that Patrice will be in charge of Chipolopolo for the qualifiers,” Tembwe declared.
Reacting to the FA offer, Beaumelle explained that he was ready for a new deal and had already drawn up a plan for the national soccer team beyond next month.
However, he said though he was happy to stay on in Zambia, he would not be prepared to put a pen to paper for a new deal if the country’s FA did not give a nod to his conditions.
“If Zambia wants me with my conditions, I’m ready to move on but if they fail to accept what i want then we will shake hands, leave it there.
With the new contract you need to understand that I need the support of everyone, FAZ, government and Zambians,” Beaumelle was quoted by Post Online as saying.
Beaumelle took charge of Zambia soccer team after his compatriot Herve Renard stepped down following his [Renard] failure to steer Chipolopolo to the ongoing World Cup finals in Brazil.
According to the Post Online, Beaumelle was not offered a new deal following the departure of his mentor and worked on the same terms he signed as assistant coach which expires at the end of July.
By: Joel Chirwa
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