After weeks of uncertainty, it seems that Luis Fernandez is finally set to become Guinea’s new head coach. The former Paris Saint-Germain manager confirmed this on RMC on Tuesday, stating, “I have made the decision to coach Guinea-Conakry. Everything is in place to begin the adventure.”
His contract will run until the next African Cup of Nations, and Fernandez, who hasn’t held a coaching position since leaving the Israeli national team in 2011, is determined to give his best for the team. He added, “When I commit, I try to do my best.”
This marks the end of a saga that had been ongoing for weeks. Fernandez had long been considered the front-runner for the position, even visiting Conakry to discuss terms. However, negotiations became tricky as Fernandez made certain demands, including being based in Paris and continuing his work as a consultant for RMC. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and the former PSG coach will take over the Syli National.
However, the decision doesn’t sit well with Titi Camara, the former Guinea international and ex-Minister of Sports, who voiced his displeasure, saying, “If I were still Minister in Guinea, Fernandez would never have come to Guinea.” Camara’s comments reflect the dissatisfaction some local figures have regarding Fernandez’s demands and his background.
The journey for Guinea under Fernandez looks promising, but the road ahead will require his ability to unify the team and lead them to greater heights, particularly as they prepare for upcoming qualifiers and continental competitions.
