Senegal & Guinea on Paul Put’s trail

Both Guinea and Senegal are lining up a shock move for Gambia’s Belgian coach, Paul Put, Observer Sports has reliably gathered. 

Paul Put remains a primary target of Gambia’s bitter rivals, Senegal, who see the Belgian as one of a number of high calibre candidates they would like to see take charge of the Terenga Lions who have been coachless since the removal of Lamine Ndiaye.

Coach Ndiaye was dismissed as Senegal’s coach barely 24 hours after the Terenga Lion’s shock elimination from the 2010 World Cup and Nations Cup joint qualifiers last month.

This development has seen the Senegalese Football Federation step-up their search for a replacement, with the interim federation keen to bring in a high-profile name.
Paul Put guided the Scorpions to a historic 1-1 draw against the Lions in Dakar last month resulting in the elimination of the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists.

Prior to Dakar derby match, Paul Put was the subject of discussions in the Senegalese media, with every football pundit admitting to the European’s extra-ordinary technical ability. And now Senegal see the Belgian as a preferred candidate who can help resurrect their ailing football from ground-zero.

Paul Put has confirmed that he has received number of phone calls from both federations, but was quick to add that he wants to remain with the Gambia Scorpions.

Put’s Gambia contract ends in a few months time, but with a pronouncement from the sports-loving Gambian leader that he will be retained as Gambia’s coach, the Belgian is not rushing to consider any offer from outside.