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Football: Ex-Senegal coach Metsu loses fight with cancer

Football

By -AP | Oct 16, 2013

Ex-Senegal coach Metsu loses fight with cancer

Bruno Metsu (left), who coached Senegal in a remarkable run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, has died. He was 59.

The news was announced by Lille, for whom Metsu played from 1979-81, and coached in 1992-93.

Lille didn’t give a cause of death, but widespread reports said the Frenchman died early Tuesday following a long battle with cancer.

“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of Bruno Metsu,” Lille said. “Lille, its president Michel Seydoux, and all the players and staff at the club, as well as the fans, offer their sincere condolences to his loved ones.”

Metsu’s finest hour as a coach came at the 2002 World Cup where his Senegal team beat defending champion France 1-0 in one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.

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Senegal’s exploits gripped the nation, prompting scenes of wild jubilation on the streets of Dakar as the Teranga Lions went on to reach the quarterfinals.

Later that year, Senegal’s momentum took it all the way to the African Cup of Nations final, where it lost on penalty kicks to Cameroon.

“A thought for those close to Bruno Metsu, a man and a coach who successfully exported the values of French football,” the French Football Federation said.

Metsu spent his last years as a coach in the Middle East with spells in charge of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar national teams, as well as club sides Al-Gharafa in Qatar and Al Wasl in the UAE, where he replaced Diego Maradona.

Earlier in his career, he also coached Valenciennes, Sedan and Valence before taking charge of Guinea, and then Senegal from 2000-02.

Claude Le Roy, a close friend of Metsu’s who also coached Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana, expressed his sadness.

“I’m in shock. He fought like a lion,” Le Roy told L’Equipe. “It’s terrible for him, for Viviane (his wife) and the kids. I’m thinking about them in particular.

“We had a lot of adventures together. I will remember his magnificent smile and his love of life.”

Former Lille teammate Stephane Plancque remembered the fun-loving Metsu with fondness.

“We played together for two seasons. I knew about him already from his reputation,” Plancque said. “We quickly became close, and were roommates for away games. He was a great guy.”

David Friio, a former midfielder who played for Valence and now works as a scout in France for Manchester United, also paid his respects.

– AP