The only African coach in Big 5 European leagues: "It encourages me to lead the way"
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 20.12.25. | 21:00
Former Senegal defender talked about an awkward situation he is currently in
Habib Beye is advocating Africa and African ‘rights’ in every possible way.
Current Rennes boss was born and raised in France but choose to represent Senegal, for which he played 45 times and scored one goal. His career, apart from Strasbourg and Marseille led him to Newcastle but he decided to build his coaching career in native France. Still, he advocates African football whenever he can. He was among the rare ones (if not the only one) who criticized FIFA’s decision to allow the clubs to keep African players seven days longer before AFCON.
He considered it to be a disrespectful to the competition and now he was also disappointed by the fact that he is the only African manager in the Top 5 leagues.
"I think I'm the only African coach today in the top five leagues, at least in the first division. We have Omar Daf in Ligue 2 (Amiens). But in the first division, it encourages me even more to lead the way and try to ensure that my journey can inspire others and, above all, represent my country and my continent, but also the culture of my mother, France, and that of my father, Senegal" he said in an interview with RFI.
Beye also sees his responsibility as African coach, as he aims to inspire other young black coaches to chase their dreams and make it in the top leagues.
"I try to be the best possible because my personal ambition has no limits. I trained in France, I spent four years to obtain my diplomas when I could have gone to England and done it perhaps in one year. I went to the National league; I experienced difficult situations, but I never gave up. I want to inspire young people, to tell them that nothing is impossible, that they shouldn't set limits for themselves and that they shouldn't let others decide for them. It's a healthy ambition, based on high standards and perseverance. I hope that my example will pave the way for other coaches from the African continent or from diverse backgrounds" he said.
