Following the passing of the deadline for submission of applications on Monday for the vacant positions of national coach and national technical Director, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) has revealed that it will begin sorting through the mountain of entries received.
For the position of national coach, 82 candidates (14 Africans including 4 Gabonese, 62 Europeans, 5 South Americans and 1 American) applied while for the position of National Technical Director 19 candidates made up of 10 Africans including 8 Gabonese and 9 Europeans applied.
FEGAFOOT say they hope to announce the name of the new coach who will replace Daniel Cousin by the end of May. The new manager will have to quickly resolve the burning issue surrounding the international future of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The national team captain has scored 20 goals in his 52 Gabon appearances but has only played in four of their last 12 games.
Well publicised disagreements with the federation coupled with a failure to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt has left the star forward considering international retirement. Speaking in an interview before the final 2019 AFCON qualifier he said,” I am thinking hard about retiring from international football. I am honestly asking myself that question. Sadly I have come to this point, and I am going to make a decision. It could come before or after our next game against Burundi.”