Soccer News of Wednesday, 13 September 2006

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

We Didn't Have LeRoy in Mind -GFA

THE GHANA Football Association (GFA) Spokesman Mr. Randy Abbey has denied allegations that the FA had French Coach, Claude Le Roy in mind long before the interview and his subsequent appointment as the new Black Stars Coach.

He told the press after the two short-listed Coaches, Jones Attuquayefio and Claude Le Roy had appeared before the FA for interview last Thursday that, "If Le Roy emerges as the new Coach for the Black Stars then, it is just a coincidence, and not that we had him in mind"

The Frenchman received the nod to direct the technical affairs of the Stars after a careful search by a nine-member committee to look for a competent Coach for the senior national soccer side, the Black Stars.

Announcing the appointment of the new Black Stars' helmsman in a press statement by the Ghana Football Association, (GFA), it indicated that the Frenchman's rich track record makes him the best candidate to continue and build on his predecessor's legacy.

Le Roy has chalked notable successes with national teams like Cameroun where he won gold in the 1988 Cup of Nations, Senegal, Congo DR, among other national teams.

The FA shortlisted three seasoned Coaches comprising Le Roy, Attuquayefio and Philippe Troussier, but the two contested for the vacant post following Troussier's request for a new interview date to enable him attend to his sick father, which the FA turned down.

The new Black Stars Coach takes over from Serbian Coach, Ratomir Dujkovic, who left the country after guiding the Black Stars to the 2006 Germany World Cup last June where they finished among the last 16 teams.

Le Roy, whose appointment takes effect from October 1 first assignment, is to guide the Stars in two international friendlies against Japan on October 4 and South Korea on October 8.