Mauritania Shortlists Four Candidates to Succeed Patrice Neveu
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (FFRIM) has announced a four-man shortlist as it seeks a new head coach for the national team, following Patrice Neveu’s departure after the team failed to reach the group stage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The candidates named on Tuesday include French coaches Sébastien Desabre, Pierre Lechantre and Corentin Martins, alongside Bosnian tactician Milovan Rajevac. All four bring a wealth of experience, but Desabre is reportedly the front-runner due to his extensive managerial record on the African continent.
Desabre, who has previously coached clubs in Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Tunisia, is seen as a strong fit given his understanding of African football dynamics. However, he faces strong competition from Rajevac, who notably led Ghana to the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Rajevac’s candidacy is complicated, though, as he remains under consideration by the Ghana Football Association, which is currently seeking a replacement for former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah.
The FFRIM has stated that a final decision will be made in the coming weeks, with the next meeting of its ad hoc committee scheduled for 29 September. This committee is tasked with screening and selecting the most suitable candidate to lead the Mourabitounes.
According to the federation, three main criteria will guide their decision: each candidate’s ability to adapt to the country’s specific context and the federation’s long-term ambitions; the practicality and relevance of their proposed development plans for Mauritanian football; and their personal level of interest in the role.
The new coach will be expected to rejuvenate the squad and build a project capable of guiding Mauritania to future continental competitions, including the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
