Migne: Kenya will always have a special place in my heart

Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne leave the pitch after losing 4-1 to Tanzania on post-match penalties during return leg tie of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers at Kasarani stadium on Sunday, August 4, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sebastian Migne says Kenya will always have a special place in his heart as he bid farewell to Harambee Stars fans in an emotional statement after parting ways with Football Kenya Federation.

The 46-year-old Frenchman’s stay at the helm of the national team came to an abrupt end on Monday after both parties mutually agreed to terminate their three-year marriage.

Though Migne recently led Kenya to African Nations Cup finals in Egypt after a 15-year wait, his position had become untenable following poor tactical approach and questionable fielding of players.

The writing was already on the wall, but his comments daring the federation to fire him following Harambee Stars’ premature elimination from the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in the return leg tie by Tanzania  (4-1 on penalties) at Kasarani on August 4 appears to have cooked his goose.

And just after the termination of his contract, Migne took to his official Facebook page to pen an emotional farewell letter to Kenyans.

He thanked Kenyans for their relentless support that made the impossible possible during his 15 months stay in the country. His departure has generated mixed reactions among Kenyans.

“Indeed, following a reflection initiated by the CAN with my Federation, we concluded that it was better to terminate our collaboration,” read part of the statement.

“Kenya will remain for me a great chapter of my life and such a wonderful country. We shared, together, beautiful emotions. This story began in the anonymity of a match in Machakos against Swaziland and ended with participation in the biggest event in Africa, the CAN 2019 in Egypt.”

He continued: “I am very proud to have helped to put Kenyan football back on the map after 15 years absence.

“During our qualifying campaign, we had a lot of hope with the fans, even though the reality of elimination against the two future finalists reminded us how high the level is demanding and the way to go.”

Migne went on to thank FKF for giving him an opportunity to train the national team.