Cameroon: Samuel Eto’o absent as new team coach assumes office

Marc Brys, the new coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, officially assumed office on Monday, April 8th, 2024, in the absence of Samuel Eto’o.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, saw the presence of various dignitaries, including the seat reserved for the President of the Football Federation, FECAFOOT, though Eto’o was not in attendance.

Addressing the gathering, the sports minister acknowledged Eto’o’s absence, citing his involvement in his father’s funeral, David Eto’o, and offered condolences, saying, “We want to acknowledge the absence of Eto’o, who is busy with his father’s funeral, David Eto’o, and may his soul rest in peace.”

However, reliable sources informed MMI that Eto’o had declined the minister’s invitation, alleging government interference in football matters.

New Contract, New Dawn?

Marc Brys faces a challenging start to his tenure. He steps into the role tasked with restoring the lost glory of the Cameroon national team and fostering ties with Samuel Eto’o.

Brys, the newly appointed head coach, has inked a two-and-a-half-year contract, a renewal following its expiration.

Who is Brys?

Marc Brys began his coaching career at Berchem Sport in Belgium, leading them to championships in the fourth and third divisions. He then moved to Germinal Beerschot, where, despite predictions of relegation, he guided the team to a 7th-place finish in his first year and secured the Belgian Cup title in his second year. Brys has also coached Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz, FC Eindhoven, and Den Bosch in the Netherlands.

In 2010, the 61-year-old signed with KV Mechelen, achieving the club’s highest point total in its history in his first year. He later managed Al-Faisaly FC in Saudi Arabia, reaching the semi-finals of the Crown Prince Cup and winning the Gulf Cup group stage. After being sacked, he briefly managed Club Al-Raed.

After being dismissed from OH Leuven in October 2023, Brys retired and settled in Crete with his wife. However, six months later, he accepted an offer to coach Cameroon, following in the footsteps of Belgian manager Hugo Broos. Brys also revealed that he turned down offers from other African nations, such as Ghana and Tunisia.

Here are the managerial records of Brys:

• Germ. Beerschot:
• July 2003 to September 2005: 87 matches, 29 wins, 22 draws, 36 losses, with a win percentage of 33.33%.
• July 2006 to June 2007: 35 matches, 14 wins, 9 draws, 12 losses, with a win percentage of 40.00%.
• R.E. Mouscron: July 2007 to December 2007: 17 matches, 6 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses, with a win percentage of 35.29%.
• FC Eindhoven: July 2008 to June 2009: 40 matches, 10 wins, 14 draws, 16 losses, with a win percentage of 25.00%.
• Den Bosch: July 2009 to June 2010: 40 matches, 16 wins, 12 draws, 12 losses, with a win percentage of 40.00%.
• KV Mechelen: July 2010 to June 2012: 78 matches, 29 wins, 19 draws, 30 losses, with a win percentage of 37.18%.
• Najran SC: August 2014 to October 2014: 3 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses, with a win percentage of 0.00%.
• Beerschot Wilrijk: July 2016 to May 2018: 81 matches, 46 wins, 18 draws, 17 losses, with a win percentage of 56.79%.
• Sint-Truiden: July 2018 to November 2019: 60 matches, 24 wins, 20 draws, 16 losses, with a win percentage of 40.00%.
• OH Leuven: June 2020 to October 2023: 119 matches, 40 wins, 32 draws, 47 losses, with a win percentage of 33.61%.

The career totals stand at 560 matches, 214 wins, 150 draws, and 196 losses, with a win percentage of 38.21%.

Mimi Mefo Info