Bertrand Goudou has unexpectedly resigned from his position as head coach of the Espoir FC women’s team in Cotonou, citing personal reasons.
The news was confirmed on January 23, as the Beninese manager, known as “Coach Bebeto,” decided to step down after a brief but eventful tenure.
Goudou, who took charge of the team in October 2024, led the side through a period marked by encouraging results, despite his relatively short time in charge.
In a statement to Africafootunited, Goudou expressed his gratitude to Espoir FC’s president, Quentin Didavi, emphasizing that there were no conflicts between them.
“I thank president Didavi for the opportunity offered to me and for the fruitful collaboration we had,” Goudou said.
A Strong Legacy Despite Premature Departure
Goudou’s tenure with Espoir FC was highlighted by notable achievements, including a strong showing at the Betsy Obaseki international pre-season tournament held in Benin City, Nigeria.
Under his guidance, the team reached the quarter-finals of the competition, which took place from October 2 to 13, 2024, and featured 16 teams from multiple countries.
Additionally, the Cotonou-based side performed well in the 2024-2025 season, securing fifth place out of 10 teams in the national championship, with 9 points from 6 matches.
These results underscored Goudou’s ability to bring out the best in his players, despite the challenges of his relatively brief tenure.
The sudden departure leaves Espoir FC in search of a new coach to continue the team’s progress and pursue their objectives for the remainder of the season.
Goudou’s resignation marks the end of a promising chapter for the club, which will now need to refocus its efforts in securing a successor capable of building on the foundation he established.
