Lechantre, five others chase Stars job

Accra, May 15, GNA – Former Cameroon coach, Pierre Lechantre and five others have expressed interest in the vacant Black Stars job.

Lechantre, 58, who led the Indomitable Lions to the African Cup of Nations title in 2000, co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria is the latest to have joined the tall list of coaches wishing to succeed his compatriot, Claude Le Roy.

Amine Momo, the agent of the Frenchman told GNA Sports in a telephone chat on Thursday from his Paris base that Lechantre, who currently handles Qatarai side Al Rayyan was interested in replacing Le Roy.

He said the former Olympique Marseille player, whose last job on the continent was in charge of the Mali national team five years ago would be a suitable candidate for the vacant job considering his knowledge of the African game.

Momo said he had furnished the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with the curriculum vitae of the experienced trainer despite the GFA's decision to headhunt for the 37th Black Stars coach.

Lechantre also had an impressive playing career, which spanned 25 years with stints at some top European clubs including Red Star Belgrade, AS Monaco, RC Lens, FC Sochaux and Lille OSC.

Information gathered by GNA Sports has it that five others namely Safet Susic (France), Vladimir Petrovic (Serbia), Robert Muller (Switzerland), Jean Thissen (Belguim) and Luiz Antonio Zaluar (Brazil) are also keen on the job.

Sussic of Bosnain origin led Turkish Premier League side, Ankaraspor to a 10th place in the just ended season.

Petrovic, nicknamed “Pizon” is coach of the Chinese national team but his contract runs out this summer.

Former Black Stars coach Ratomir Dujkovic, now coach of the China Olympic team who recommended Pizon to the Chinese Federation takes over as coach of China's team A after the Olympic Games.

Thissen, 62, a former Belgian international currently handles Algerian premier side, MC Algers.
Zaluar, one of the foremost coaches in Brazil has a vast experience after managing teams in his native Brazil and Asia.

He holds a degree in Fitness from the famous Universidade Gama Filho in Brazil and a Post Graduate certificate in Football from the Federal University of Rio De Janeiro.

The GFA is expected to name a replacement for Le Roy before the Stars play the Socceroos of Australia May 23 in Sydney.