Cameroon’s pursuit of a new head coach for the Indomitable Lions has hit a roadblock as the Ministry of Sports rejected the candidacy of Hervé Renard due to his staggering salary demands.
The decision came after a standoff between the Minister of Sports, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, and the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot), led by president Samuel Eto’o, over the selection process for the national team’s new coach, Marc Brys.
In a press release issued on Friday, Minister Kombi cited Fécafoot’s submission of three applications, including Renard’s, which were all turned down due to their “exorbitant salary demands.”
The minister emphasized that these demands far exceeded those of other candidates with similar qualifications, making them financially unreasonable and unsustainable.
Renard, the current coach of the French women’s team, reportedly sought an annual salary of €2.4 million, as revealed in a leaked document circulating on social media.
This figure stunned observers, particularly considering that it surpasses the salary of Paul Le Guen, the highest-paid coach in the history of the Indomitable Lions, who received around €1.3 million during his tenure from 2009 to 2010.
The staggering salary request from Renard has drawn widespread criticism and disbelief from Cameroonian media outlets.
Camfoot described it as “tremendous,” while Camerfoot Infos labeled it as “incredible.”
The rejection of Renard’s candidacy underscores the challenges faced by Cameroon in its quest for a new coach.
With salary demands reaching unprecedented levels, the search for the ideal candidate continues amidst growing scrutiny and pressure from football authorities and fans alike.
As Cameroon navigates this critical juncture in its footballing journey, the decision-makers must weigh their options carefully to ensure the appointment of a coach who not only meets the team’s needs but also aligns with the financial realities of the federation.
À titre de rappel, Hervé Renard percevait un salaire de 1,1 million d’euros lorsqu’il travaillait en Arabie Saoudite 🇸🇦.
Au Cameroun, il espérait toucher 2,4 millions d’euros et exigeait que la logistique soit mise à sa disposition deux semaines avant le début de ses fonctions.… pic.twitter.com/xcVD8caV8f
— La Tanière²³⁷ 🦁 (@lataniere237) April 6, 2024
