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LILLE. – French coach Bruno Metsu, best known for leading Senegal into the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, has died from cancer at the age of 59, friends said yesterday. “He died overnight at 3:30am,” said Herve Beddeleem, the executive director of BCM Gravelines-Dunkirk basketball club, confirming a report in La Voix du Nord newspaper.
“I am shattered by this news. Bruno had everything to be happy – an exemplary professional career, money, a happy marriage and children and then this cancer takes him away. It’s just incredible,” he said.
Metsu told L’Equipe newspaper in July that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer after undergoing a medical examination to discover why he had felt ill at the end of a match.
“I underwent medical tests and the guy announces to me afterwards that I had terminal cancer. ‘You have cancer of the colon, the liver and the lungs.’ They gave me three months to live, It was such a shock,” he said.
The west Africans went on to reach the quarter-finals where they lost 1-0 to Turkey.
Metsu went on to coach several clubs and nations in the Gulf region, notably winning the Gulf Cup with the United Arab Emirates in 2007.
The much-travelled Metsu, also known as “The White Sorcerer”, also coached Guinea, Qatar, and several clubs in the Gulf region.
However, the highlight of his career came at the 2002 World Cup when Senegal beat holders France in the opening game and went on to reach the last eight.
That year, Senegal also reached the African Cup of Nations final.
Instantly recognisable on the touchline with his dapper suits and long hair, Metsu caused a sensation at the 2002 World Cup when his Senegal team defeated reigning champions France in the opening match.
The Lions of Teranga went on to reach the quarter-finals where they lost 1-0 to Turkey.
Just months ahead of the World Cup, Metsu also guided Senegal to their only appearance in the final of the 2002 African Cup of Nations where they were beaten on penalties by Cameroon.
After his successful spell in charge of Senegal, Metsu went on to coach several clubs and nations in the Gulf region, notably winning the Gulf Cup with the United Arab Emirates in 2007.
Metsu stood down as coach of Dubai first division side Al Wasl in October due to health reasons.
French club Lille, where Metsu played from 1979-81 and coached from 1992-93, said: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of Bruno Metsu.
“Lille, its president Michel Seydoux, and all the players and staff at the club, as well as the fans, offer their sincere condolences to his loved ones.’’
French Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron paid tribute to a man who would be remembered as someone “who never gives up, this tireless globetrotter of football who always pushes others to exceed their limits”.
And French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet added that Metsu’s legacy was above all that of a winner.
“He was really passionate about football, he’ll leave the memory of a winner who succeeded I’d say on all continents with mad passion, a desire to win, consistency.
“An important personality from French football has left us. He gave the impression of a man able to convince others that French football had values.
“He was an example to follow in his convictions and the missions he undertook.” – AFP.
Online Reporter