Sebastien Migne’s contract termination sparks mixed reactions online

Harambee Stars head coach Sébastien Migné have agreed to terminate the coach’s contract [Courtesy]

Football Kenya Federation and Harambee Stars head coach Sébastien Migné have agreed to terminate the coach’s contract on mutual consent.

According to the statement released by FKF on Monday, August 13, the Frenchman will no longer be the national team’s coach and that the reorganization and appointment process for a new technical bench is already underway.

“Football Kenya Federation and Harambee Stars Head Coach Sébastien Migné have agreed to terminate the coach’s contract on mutual consent. Consequently, FKF and Migné have agreed on a settlement for the coach, over a period of time.

"The Federation wishes to thank Coach Migné for his exemplary work and high standard of professionalism during his tenure, which culminated in the country qualifying for the 2019 AFCON tournament for the first time in 15 years,” read the statement in part.

Migne was defiant he did a good job with Harambee Stars [Courtesy]

This comes after a dismal performance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt last month and the recent early exit from the African Nations Championships in the hands of neighbours Tanzania.

Kenya exited the tournament after winning only once in three group stage matches.

The national team, under the stewardship of Migne, lost to the Desert Foxes of Algeria and Senegal but managed a win against close Tanzania.

A few weeks later, Tanzania would get a chance to revenge as they bundled Harambee Stars out of the African Nations Championships (CHAN).

Both legs of the tie ended in barren draws before Taifa Stars won on 4-1 penalties at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi.

Kenya’s exit from the tourney sparked emotions among Kenyans who felt the tactician did not do enough to help the team progress.

Migne insisted he had done his job and that Kenyan fans should not forget the troubles the team has faced to make it to this level.

"Don’t forget where you (Kenya) were; you had never qualified for AFCON in 15 years. It is not even about CHAN; Kenya has never been to the U17 or U20 AFCON and that means Kenya doesn’t have the maturity to contest at the highest level. Honestly, I gave my best and I offered the fans an opportunity to dream with the AFCON qualification,” said Migne as seen by GameYetu.

A defiant Migne went on to question whether the federation could afford the pay out to sack him.

“About resigning, you will have to check with my president. I am under contract but it is already difficult to pay my salary and it will be difficult to pay the remainder of my full contract as well if I were to be sacked,” explained Migne.

News of his contract termination was received with mixed reactions from Kenyans on social media, most of who felt frustrated by the lack of a long-staying head coach in the men’s national football team.

Here are some of the reactions captured by GameYetu:

We should really thank Sebastien Migne for what he did with Harambee Stars. A qualification to the #AFCON2019 after 15 years is no easy task. Thank you Migne???? pic.twitter.com/InHLC4DPhN — Dennis Kiplimo™ ???????????????? (@ItsShark15) August 12, 2019

To be fair, we have to thank Sebastien Mi?ne for helping @harambee__stars qualify for Afcon after 15 years in the wilderness. Now let's find a coach who can make our national team better. Someone who can teach proper football, not those mathogothanios we often do. Thanks! pic.twitter.com/ShmxOYV2tU — Collins Ogutu (@CKogutu) August 12, 2019

We cannot forget to thank you Sébastien Migne for taking Harambee stars to AFCON this year...All the best in your future endeavours.Cheers! pic.twitter.com/WXsxCl6IHR — BENEDICT MUINDI ???????? (@PrinceBenedict_) August 12, 2019

First, let's make it clear, Migne was a tourist,
And yes Stars will make it but first change fkf management.....with that noisemaker president..... — MusaCorp (@MusaCorp75) August 13, 2019

Ghost is running a successful player agency. That will bring in a Migne affair. Kimanzi is fresh from partaking in the Migne disastrous affair. None of the above please. We need to do a Gareth Southgate on this one. — Walter Onyino (@onyino_walter) August 13, 2019