The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto'o, has surprised many by revealing the financial details of national coach David Pagou's contract. This move breaks with usual practices in African football, where coach salaries are rarely disclosed.
In an interview with Digital B Agency, Eto'o openly discussed Pagou's salary situation. "The coach doesn't cost us a lot of money," he said, before sharing a telling anecdote: "The last time I renewed his contract, he told me, 'President, that's a lot!'"
Eto'o took the opportunity to defend his management philosophy, which prioritizes local talent at a lower cost over hiring foreign technicians with high financial demands. "If we can afford to pay millions to a mediocre person, I think we can pay billions to a brilliant Cameroonian," he stated. He suggests that Fecafoot has the resources to value national talent and that it is time to end the undervaluation of Cameroonian expertise.
This approach marks a break from past practices, where local coaches were often paid less than their foreign counterparts. Eto'o believes it is essential to recognize and reward Cameroonian skills fairly. By increasing David Pagou's salary, Fecafoot is sending a strong message: it trusts its own talent and is ready to invest in them.
David Pagou, born on January 13, 1969, has risen through the ranks of Cameroonian football thanks to his discipline, tactical intelligence, and ability to build competitive teams. Before being appointed coach, he managed several major clubs, including PWD Bamenda, with whom he won the championship in 2020 and the Cameroon Cup in 2021. He was also briefly assistant coach of the national team in 2024.
Pagou's appointment as head of the Indomitable Lions surprised many, given his lack of international experience. However, Eto'o seems determined to give local technicians a chance and break with the "star system".
Whether this bold strategy will bear fruit on the field remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Samuel Eto'o will stop at nothing to defend his vision of Cameroonian football.
