By ROBIN TOSKIN
The next Harambee Stars coach will definitely be a French speaker after Football Kenya Federation ( FKF) narrowed down to four coaches from France and Belgium.
Leading the shortlist are former French internationals Henri Michel and Raymond Domenech with two Belgians, Adel Amrouche, and Tom Saintfeit. Both speak fluent English.
It is understood FKF are targeting a high-profile coach in the wake of Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s suggestion, during the launch of Harambee Stars sponsorship deal with East African Breweries Limited, that the Government would consider picking up the bill of paying for a good coach.
Highly placed sources intimate the government will pump in Sh100 million to kick-start a leap into a bright footballing future through the hiring of a reputable coach.
FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya said the process of naming Francis Kimanzi’s successor has taken a little longer because the next one year is crucial in setting up the structures of player development.
“We are targeting a coach who would lay the structures and at the same time manage Harambee Stars during the current World Cup qualifying campaign,” Nyamweya said, adding, “the four; Domenech, Michel, Adel and Tom fit into our vision. But because the position is one, we will make a decision soon on the preferred coach.”
He added: “Other than affordability, there is a sense both in government and FKF that we need a coach of high calibre who could put us on track even if that coach would be givemn a one-year contract in the meantime.”
Three of the four, Michel, Adel and Saintfiet have extensive experience working in Africa while for Domenech; it would be his first posting should he be named Kenya’s coach.
Michel, 64, understandbly the leading candidate, played 58 times for France between 1967 and 1980 including the 1978 World Cup. He deputised Michel Hidalgo at Spain ‘82 before taking the reins at Mexico ‘86 where France finished third.
Earlier in 1984, the former AC Nantes player had guided France to winning the Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles, US. He stepped down as France coach in 1988, but worked with French Football Federation as Technical Director until 1990 when he left to coach Paris Saint Germaine.
However, he started his African Odyssey in 1994 with Cameroon, which would later take him to Morocco where he guided them to an impressive showing at the 1998 World Cup finals staged in France. He also guided Ivory Coast to the 2006 finals of the Africa Nations Cup in Egypt where the Elephants lost on penalties to the Pharaohs before stepping down.
