‘I made mistakes’

Philippe Troussier is a name ingrained in African football history for a unique journey that began in Ivory Coast in 1989. But for all his success over a nomadic 37-year coaching career, the Frenchman also evokes resentment and anger amongst South African

The former Bafana Bafana coach was slammed after leading the nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France … now he gives his side of the story.

KICK OFF: Let’s start with your first foray into Africa when you left your native France for a West African journey… Philippe Troussier:

It was in Ivory Coast where it all started for me, I became the ‘White Witchdoctor’. It was at Sol Beni, the training centre of Asec Abidjan, that I began to write my international history. To be still coaching 30 years later, after a long journey around the world with more than 12 different countries visited, l have become like a globe trotter. During this long journey, I had the great privilege of working at two World Cups [1998 and 2002], one African Cup of Nations [1998], two Asian Cup of Nations [2000 and 2004], the 2000 Olympic Games of Sydney, Copa America [1999 with guests Japan], the Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria [1999], as well as many national championships. I also had success in national cup competitions with Kaizer Chiefs and a stint at the prestigious

Olympique de Marseille [in France’s Ligue 1], where I worked with Pierre Issa. In the international arena, I have also managed over 200 international matches across eight different federations. But going to your question, the time at Asec was the most memorable. With Asec Abidjan in the 1990s, I led them in 120 matches without a defeat, a world record feat. It was a club supported by millions of people, an ambitious and visionary President, a talented team made up of international players, exceptional working conditions and a goal-chaser in the form of Abdoulaye Traore. The modern system was organised in 3-4-3 with a direct style of play and disciplined management, all produced offensive and effective football to obtain three consecutive league titles without any defeat. This is where the ‘White Witchdoctor’ was born.

This led you to a short stint with the Ivory Coast national team and then in 1994 to Kaizer Chiefs. Can you shed some light about your time with the South African giants?

Coming to South Africa with Kaizer Chiefs was a dream for me, I never had the chance to travel during my youth. My parents were merchants, they ran a butcher shop in Le Mans. My father instilled in me the values of work, effort, sacrifice, nothing can be acquired without work. As the oldest of a family of six children, very early on my mother entrusted me with responsibilities to supervise my brothers and sisters. I feel it was that period of my life where I developed capacities to manage, control and decide for others. In 1994 it was also the year Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa, new horizons were emerging for the people of South Africa. I had the great privilege of shaking the President’s hand in a 0-0 game against Liverpool. It was a magical moment for me that I will never forget in the light of this man, who all his life fought to liberate his people. I treasured this moment in my heart and I keep the letter of encouragement he shared with me during our participation in the World Cup in France in 1998.

We hear you…

I arrived in Johannesburg in November 1993, I was staying in the Sandton district in the north. It was Sam, my faithful guide, who allowed me to integrate myself into South African life. All I arrived with were my coaching [qualifications], my character, my passion. I was used to building a united, aggressive, and efficient team. Over time I can now understand that this management style could hurt some players and even create the impression of pretending to be an ugly Afrikaner.

A lot has been said about that period…

With time I can understand it now, but at the time I was driven by the concern to give the best, to consider my players as my children. I made no difference between the young and the old, between the stars and non-stars, between white and black. I considered my group as a big family where all the players had to comply with the collective terms. I was a young and ambitious coach, in addition, I imposed a new way of managing and a new way of making players play together. I was very demanding in terms of the role of the

“I CAN NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MANAGEMENT STYLE COULD HURT SOME PLAYERS.”