Football: After Raoul Shungu’s resignation as Seychelles coach-Who to replace him? |21 December 2007

Shungu decided to slam the door after what he described as “a series of poor performances and results by the country’s different selections in regional and continental competitions.”

In fact, Congolese Shungu was Seychelles’ fifth foreign coach in 15 years. Before him, we had German Helmut Kosmehl (from 1992 to 1993), Yugoslav Vojo Gardasevic (from 1997 to 2000), Frenchman Dominique Bathenay (from May 2002 to November 2002), and German Michael Nees (from 2002 to 2004).

Although The Pirates cannot be compared to the Seleçao of Brazil, the Squadra Azzura of Italy or Les Bleus of France, the chance to lead the Seychelles national team may appeal to many Seychellois coaches, as well as foreigners.

The last Seychellois to coach the county’s senior national team is Ulric ‘Keker’ Mathiot and that was in 1991.
He is to date the most knowledgeable Seychellois coach, but when asked if he is tempted to make a comeback with the national team, he replied:

“I have too many commitments, but I can help in some ways if I am asked to. I’m involved with the training of young Seychellois coaches and right now many are involved with teams in the first, second and third divisions.

“Taking into account the level of our football and how it is structured, for me the best way to go about with the different Seychelles teams is to have coaches working with players in different departments – goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers. Then you might have a foreign technical advisor who will come before big matches to see how the players gel. Those Seychellois coaches will have to work on specific aspects of the game and make sure the players know their roles. It is also very important to improve the physical condition of the players.”

St Michel’s coach Ralph ‘Tiapout’ Jean-Louis, St Louis Suns United’s coach Marc Mathiot, SMB’s boss Roger Labonté, Bernard Dorasamy, SMB’s coach Jeris César and even St Michel’s former coach Brian Uranie who is now the club’s manager are some of the potential candidates for the job.

While Dorasamy could not be reached for comments, the other candidates readily gave their views about the Seychelles team’s hot seat.

Ralph ‘Tiapout’ Jean-Louis: “I’m not rushing myself into such an adventure. I’m a young coach and I have a lot to learn. I was reading coach Raoul Shungu’s interview in Seychelles Nation and many of the concerns he raised are true. For me, if the situation continues the same, there won’t be any improvement even if the SFF hires the best coach in the world. With the kind of players we have here, it is difficult for club sides to reach the group stage of an African club competition and therefore it will be difficult to have a good national team. I’m happy with St Michel and I’m learning the trade. I had a stint with the Seychelles under-23 side and it turned sour as everyone wanted to be involved in the team selection.”

Marc Mathiot: “I can’t make a decision right now. I’m not sure if I’ll say yes or no if I’m approached for the job. ”

Roger Labonté: “I’m not ready to take charge of the country’s national team. I have a lot to learn to have the necessary knowledge to lead a national team. For me, Jeris César is the man who can lead the team. Also, the team need a trainer and coaches to work with players in the different departments on the field. After that, they all meet to discuss their training plans and what progress has been made. We also need a panel of coaches to choose players for the national team. This should not be done by the SFF.”

Brian Uranie: “I have a commitment with St Michel and it’s going to be difficult for me to leave them. I’ve received propositions from members of the SFF to work with the Seychelles national team, but I’m not too keen to take on the job.”

Jeris César: “I’ve always said and I firmly believe that it’s time for The Pirates to be coached by a Seychellois. I’ve been involved with football here since 1973 and the fact that we don’t have a Seychellois coach with any of the different selections is a sign that we have failed. We have a lot of coaches who can work with the different selections, but they are not given their chances. In 1994, I coached the Seychelles youth team to winning the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan indien (CJSOI) football competition in Madagascar and since then I’ve been out of the picture. This is because people don’t like when I take a firm stance. I’m ready for the job, but only if I have the liberty to plan my work with my coaching staff without the interference of the SFF executive committee.”

G. G.