Bruno Metsu, the manager who stunned then-world champions, France, at the 2002 World Cup with Senegal, has died after a long struggle with cancer.
Metsu, 59, passed away on Monday night at a clinic in northern France after losing his battle against colon, liver and lung cancer.
A former professional player at Valenciennes, Lille, Nice and Beauvais, he shot to global prominence 11 years ago when his Senegal side defeated his native country, France, who were also reigning European champions at the time.
Pape Bouba Diop’s goal in the opening game of the finals in Seoul sealed a 1-0 win for the Lions of Teranga, launching a campaign, which saw them become the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in 12 years.
After leaving the Senegal job later the same year, Metsu spent the rest of his career coaching in the Persian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and lately at Dubai-based club, Al Wasl, which he left in 2012.
Claude Le Roy, who was a close friend of Metsu and has also forged his managerial career outside of his native country, told L’Equipe he would retain fond memories of his late colleague.
“I’m in shock,” Le Roy said. “He fought like a lion. We had a lot of things in common. It’s terrible for him, for Viviane, his wife, and the little ones. I’m thinking about them above all.
“We had a lot of adventures together. I’ll remember a magnificent smile and his love of life.”
