Senegal’s Coaching Future in Focus as Debate Intensifies Post-AFCON Exit
Following Senegal’s unexpected exit from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, a lively debate has emerged over who will succeed Alain Giresse as head coach of the Lions.
As is often the case after disappointing campaigns, various names are being floated as potential candidates to lead Senegal’s national team forward. Among those publicly expressing interest is Lamine Dieng, current coach of Niarry Tally and former youth team coach, who has voiced support for taking on the role.
However, the figure generating the most discussion among fans and pundits alike is Aliou Cissé, a former captain of the Lions during the early 2000s. Cissé led Senegal to the 2002 AFCON final in Mali and helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup — the nation’s best-ever showing on the global stage.
Since retiring in 2009 after a long playing career spanning 15 years (including six with the national team), Cissé has pursued coaching qualifications in France. He earned his diploma and started his managerial career as assistant coach at Louhans Cuiseaux in French Ligue 2 that same year. He later served as interim head coach during the 2012 London Olympics before being confirmed as Senegal’s Olympic team coach.
Despite this experience, Cissé lacks direct coaching exposure at club level in Senegal, a path taken by others such as Amara Traoré, who rebuilt his credentials by managing local side Linguère de Saint-Louis before ascending to the national team. Traoré himself was dismissed following Senegal’s 2012 AFCON disappointment in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
While Cissé has yet to publicly respond to calls for him to take over the senior national team, offers and expectations continue to mount. The decision will carry considerable risk given the high stakes and the imminent start of Senegal’s 2017 World Cup qualifying campaign, set to begin in June.
As Senegal seeks stability and renewed ambition, the football community watches closely to see if Aliou Cissé will accept the challenge of steering the Lions into a new era.
