Metsu's secret is out

Flamboyant team, flamboyant dress sense

No wonder Senegalese coach Bruno Metsu is smiling. He's just been voted CAF coach of the year for guiding the Lions to their first World Cup and the final of this year's African Nations Cup.

Metsu has transformed the fortunes of Senegal since his appointment as coach in November 2000 when he inherited a team short on confidence and struggling in their World Cup qualification group.

Metsu quickly reversed his team's fortunes and his time as manager has led to a period of unparalleled success for the national side.

Senegalese Football Federation vice president Bounamar Gueye - the man who appointed Metsu - is delighted with his team's form since the Frenchman took over. He describes Metsu as being determined and open-minded. "Bruno's secret is that he listens to everyone. He listens to players, he listens to the federation and he listens to journalists."

Most Senegalese internationals play their domestic football in France - giving Frenchman Metsu a distinct advantage when he was appointed national coach.

"When he arrived here we had big, big difficulties bringing the top players who play their club football in France here for internationals. It is Bruno's capacity to talk to people that, along with the federation's president, managed to convince the main players to come and play."

Metsu's team also reached the final of this year's African Cup of Nations, losing to Cameroon in a dramatic penalty shoot out.

Watching Metsu at work in the Cup of Nations in Mali he cut a flamboyant figure, standing at the side of the dug out dressed in his regular garb of suit and white tee shirt with his long hair streaming behind him as he makes a point to either officials or his own players.

He had an undistinguished nomadic playing career in France and Belgium at several clubs, including. Dunkerque, Anderlecht, Lille, Valenciennes, Nice and Beauvais. It was at Beauvais that he cut his coaching teeth before going on to lead Valence and Sedan.

After playing France in the World Cup's opening fixture, Senegal will then face Denmark and Uruguay.

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