Cameroon FA Sacks Belgian Coach Over “Disrespectful and Insubordinate” Acts

By Tata Mbunwe

The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has terminated its contract with Belgian head coach Marc Brys, citing a list of professional failures and a complete breakdown in communication with the federation’s leadership, particularly its president, football icon Samuel Eto’o.

The decision was announced by FECAFOOT’s Emergency Committee in a final statement released Monday, following a session presided over by Eto’o, who was freshly re-elected for a second term as federation president on Saturday.

The communiqué presents a damning indictment of Marc Brys’ tenure, accusing him of “disrespectful, biased, and insubordinate acts and statements” that “jeopardized the operation and performance” of the Indomitable Lions.

The federation links these alleged disruptions to Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team was beaten out by DR Congo in the playoffs.

A History of Disputes with Eto’o

Marc Brys’ sacking culminates a protracted and very public power struggle between the Belgian technician and the Eto’o-led federation.

Brys was controversially appointed by Cameroon’s Ministry of Sports in May 2024, a move initially rejected by FECAFOOT, which argued that the exclusive right to appoint national team staff lies with its Executive Committee.

Although a compromise was eventually brokered, the relationship never recovered.

The Emergency Committee’s statement details 11 specific charges against Brys, painting a picture of a coach operating in defiance of federation protocols.

Key Reasons for the Sacking

Brys is accused of blatantly refusing to attend FECAFOOT meetings and ignoring official summonses.

The federation alleges he published squad lists and organized press conferences without prior authorization, noting that these constituted a serious breach of procedure.

He reportedly refused to share training programs, post-match reports, and final player lists within deadlines and reportedly sidelined FECAFOOT-appointed staff and instead collaborating with “individuals unknown to the Federation.”

In one of the most serious accusations, FECAFOOT claims Brys misdirected players and “incit[ed] their distrust towards FECAFOOT.”

The communiqué states that Eto’o had repeatedly warned Brys about the “serious risks” his actions posed to the national team, to no avail.

Pagou and Mpille Appointed New Coaches

The Emergency Committee immediately moved to reorganize the technical staff, appointing a dual leadership of Cameroonian coaches Martin Ndtoungou Mpile and David Pagou as head coaches.

A full backroom staff of predominantly Cameroonian personnel was also named.

Resolution 2 directs President Eto’o to urgently formalize these appointments with the Ministry of Sports and global football bodies, a step likely intended to solidify FECAFOOT’s control and draw a line under the disputed appointment of Brys.

The move comes days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco—where the Indomitable Lions are paired in Group F alongside Gabon, Mozambique and AFCON 2023 hosts, Ivory Coast.