Sébastien Desabre, the coach of the DR Congo national team, reportedly faced six months of unpaid wages, according to revelations made by Dodo Landu, the team manager of the Leopards.
At 47 years old, Sébastien Desabre, originally from Valence, France, has achieved significant milestones in his coaching career in Africa.
Notably, he guided the Congolese national team to a commendable fourth-place finish during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.
Furthermore, under his guidance, the Leopards remain competitive in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite his coaching successes, Desabre encountered financial difficulties during his tenure in DR Congo, as highlighted by Dodo Landu during an appearance on Congolese media.
Landu revealed that the coach had not received his salary for six consecutive months, which theoretically could have led to the termination of his contract under FIFA regulations.
“According to FIFA, if a coach goes unpaid for two consecutive months, the contract can be terminated. By early June, Desabre had accumulated six months of salary arrears.
He could have left freely if he wished, and we would have been obligated to pay him his entire contract,” Landu disclosed.
Despite the financial challenges, Sébastien Desabre maintained his focus on the footballing project in DR Congo, emphasizing the importance of his vision for the country’s football, which aligns with the national leadership’s aspirations.
“Money is not the coach’s priority. He is committed to a footballing vision that is in line with the country’s leadership,” Landu added.
Recently, Desabre committed to an extended five-year contract with the Congolese national team.
His initial appointment to lead the Leopards occurred in August 2022, marking his dedication to continue developing football in DR Congo despite the financial hurdles he faced earlier.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by coaches in African football, where financial irregularities and delayed payments can impact the stability and morale of coaching staff despite their professional accomplishments and commitments to national football development.
