Why I Left Ghana •Le Roy Speaks

After leaving Ghanaians in the dark for weeks, out-going coach of the Black Stars, Claude Le Roy has explained why he decided not to accept the offer for a contract extension with regard to the coaching job in Ghana. Speaking to a Radio France International (RFI) correspondent in Accra on Tuesday, Le Roy stated: “I refused to do it because I wanted to see my future somewhere else so that I could move to reposition myself very well.” Moreover, “I do not want to work with people who will renew my contract because they had mentioned it to the public,” the coach said. Le Roy said he had no option than to start somewhere, but added that he would continue his coaching career on the African continent, which will host the 2010 World Cup. He cast aspersions on the country’s current football administration saying he would look elsewhere where there was good management, so he would discover talented players who were more disciplined. “Surely, I would not be able to handle a team that is 14th on the current Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) ranking but I will still be in the game of football, coaching particularly in Africa,” he said sarcastically. Commenting on his protégé, Ghana’s former physical trainer, Herve Renard, Le Roy disclosed that he was surprised when he heard that his compatriot had signed a contract to handle the Zambian national team, stressing that it would a big challenge for him. Talking about his relationship with the GFA, the coach pointed out that he would like to keep a good relationship with them. Le Roy, who led the Black Stars to a third place in the last Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana, said he thought he had a formidable squad after 11 victories, 3 draws and 4 defeats in 18 games. It would be recalled that Le Roy jilted the Ghana Football Association (GFA) by refusing to accept an offer to extend his contract for two years. He cited personal reasons for his decision not to accept the contract offer. According to a statement issued by the GFA, the football governing body therefore agreed to abrogate its contract with Mr. Le Roy on 30th May 2008 instead of 30th June 2008. The coach came under fire recently when it was alleged that he had submitted his CV to the South African Football Association (SAFA) for a coaching job following the resignation of Carlos Alberto Perreira of Brazil. It was also alleged that the Frenchman had submitted his CV to the football authorities in Cote d’Ivoire, after the axing of German coach Uli Stielike.