During a recent meeting with young Cameroonians organized by Digital B Agency, Samuel Eto'o, president of FECAFOOT, took the opportunity to express his opinion on the management of football coaches in Cameroon. The former star striker did not mince his words regarding the use of foreign technicians, a thinly veiled criticism of Marc Brys, whose appointment was imposed by the Ministry of Sports.
When questioned about the renewal of David Pagou's contract, the current national team coach, Eto'o emphasized the importance of investing in local skills. "If we can afford to pay several million to a mediocre person, I think we can pay billions to a brilliant Cameroonian," he declared, making it clear that he considered the salary paid to certain foreign coaches disproportionate to their actual contribution.
This statement comes in a context of persistent tensions between Eto'o and the Ministry of Sports regarding the appointment of technical staff. The appointment of Marc Brys, in particular, had sparked strong controversy, with the president of FECAFOOT never hiding his disagreement with this decision.
Eto'o also insisted on the need to promote local talent, deploring that some "selfish" people prefer to surround themselves with less competent individuals to better consolidate their power. "I just think there are selfish people, like everywhere else, who prefer to deal with mediocre people. And the reflex of the mediocre is to block those who are brilliant below. And that, I cannot accept," he added.
The choice of David Pagou, appointed coach just before the 2025 AFCON, seems to have proved Eto'o right. Although Cameroon was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Morocco, the team displayed attractive play and renewed intensity, performances that convinced FECAFOOT to extend his contract. Eto'o's comments on coaches' salaries have sparked numerous reactions, reigniting the debate on the promotion of local skills in Cameroonian football.
