Domenech leads Kenya search for foreign coach

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Domenech, whose last posting was with France national team at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has to compete with compatriot Henri Michel, formerly¹ head coach of Cote d'Ivoire and Belgians Adel Amrouche and Tom Saintfeit for the post.

Football Federation² of Kenya (FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya said they intend to fill the vacant post by October as the country seeks to reclaim³ its lost glory in the sport.

Of importance, however, is that all the four candidates are fluent speakers of English.

Domenech was first shortlisted among the final 10 finalists late July for the post. Over 60 had made their application before it was cut down to 10.

They were Ratomir Djukovic (Serbia), Luc Eyamel (Belgium), Adel Amrouche-(Belgium), Claude Leroy (France), Otto Pfister (German), Tom Saintfiet (Belgium), Miodrag Dujkovic (Serbia), Henri Michel (France), Raymond Domenech (France), Kikovic Milenko (Serbia).

"The main focus will be on building on sound structures and frameworks that will help develop football in Kenya. Management of Harambee Stars will be also crucial, especially in the World Cup campaign. All the 4 finalists are coaches of international stature⁴, they have proven record and we have to pick just one," Nyamweya said on Thursday in Nairobi.

But the catch is in payment of the coach. All the four are keen to bring in their backroom staff, expecting the government to pick up their bill. The last coach to manage Kenya from abroad was Germany Antoine Hey and France's Bernard Lama.

Both left after failing to get the government backing and as the decision on the final candidate is made, it will be crucial to know who else will accompany them in the assignment.

"Affordability⁵ will be a crucial element. We must get someone who can help restore our glory and also take us to the next level without breaking the bank. The government is ready to pay up to a one-year contract in the meantime," said Nyamweya.

Kenya's Francis Kimanzi was axed from the job after he failed to lead Kenya through to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup final in South Africa.

Michel, 64, coached Frabce at the Mexico World Cup in 1986 where Les Blus finished third. He coached Cameroon in 1994, was with Morocco at the 1998 World Cup and Cote d'Ivoire in 2006 at the Africa Nations Cup in Egypt.

Belgian Adel Amrouche, 44, has coached Burundi and DRC's club Motema Pembe.

Tom Saintfiet also from Belgium is just 39 and guided Yanga to win the Cecafa Club Championship.

He has also had a stint⁶ with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Ethiopia. Domenech, who is 60-years-old, led France to two World Cups in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010.

He was also in charge of France at the Euro 2008. He, however, has no experience with an African team.

Kenya is pooled together with Namibia, Nigeria and Malawi in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

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