BREAKING: Cameroon replaces newly-hired Marc Brys
The disaster in Douala continues as FECAFOOT and Cameroon's sport ministry feud over hirings.
DOUALA — Newly hired manager Marc Brys, appointed by Cameroon just over a month before, was sacked by FECAFOOT following a ‘fierce’ argument with president Samuel Eto’o. Eto’o accused Brys, who formerly managed OH Leuven, of lobbying ‘disrespectful comments’, ‘an outright refusal to cooperate’, and ‘inappropriate behavior’. Martin Ndtoungou will take over for the team ahead of their June World Cup qualifying matches.
Brys initially landed the spot, hired by the country’s sports ministry. Eto’o and FECAFOOT (Cameroon’s national football body) expressed ‘great astonishment’ over the hiring, hinting at the fact that the government may have had ‘undue influence’ over the national team. Eto’o reportedly had no consultation nor approval of the hiring, enraging the ex-Barça legend.
Heated footage of Brys and Eto’o arguing surfaced days before Brys’ sacking, with Eto’o angrily confronting the head coach. “
“In your country, I don't do this, and don't talk to me like that, coach,” Eto’o angrily fumes and gesticulates in front of a surprised Brys. “As a footballer, you can't talk to me like that. In which country do you think you are a coach? Sit down and let me do my work. Cut the nonsense, do you think that I can do this in Belgium? So why do you do this in Cameroon?”
Eto’o also reportedly confronted a member of the sports ministry.
The ministry hasn’t commented on the latest powerstruggle between them and the Eto’o-led FECAFOOT. Cameroonian police and FIFA are launching an investigation into Eto’o due to allegations of match-fixing in the second tier.
Ndtoungou will announce a new squad for Cameroon’s vital pair of matches against Cape Verde and Angola. Cameroon is currently tied for first in their World Cup qualifying matches.