Gabon appoints Alain Giresse as Technical Director, Sébastien Migné as head coach

In an unexpected setting at the Élysée Palace last Monday, Gabon's President Brice Oligui Nguema—guest of honor hosted by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron—stood to deliver his speech and announced the appointment of Alain Giresse as Technical Director of Gabon.

Giresse was present at the official dinner, alongside Claude Le Roy, the new coach of Congo and a key figure in Franco-African football relations.

A Return to First Love

For Giresse, the role marks a return to his roots. He began his coaching career on the African continent in Gabon between 2006 and 2010.

"And I have kept very deep ties there," Giresse said. "It changed me as a person."

The former midfielder of France's "magic square" and runner-up for the 1982 France Football Ballon d'Or behind Paolo Rossi has also maintained relationships in other countries where he has worked, including Senegal, where he remains close to former federation president Augustin Senghor.

Migné Brings Familiarity with the Region

Giresse will not be the only Frenchman strengthening Gabon. The federation has chosen Sébastien Migné as head coach, coming off a highly successful World Cup campaign with Haiti, which he guided to the tournament for the first time in 52 years.

Migné has previous experience in Cameroon, serving as assistant to Rigobert Song during the 2022 World Cup. He knows the environment well, having first worked as an assistant to Claude Le Roy before taking on head coaching roles independently.

He has signed a four-year contract and will be tasked with qualifying Gabon for the next Africa Cup of Nations, with the long-term hope of reaching the World Cup. Qualifiers for the CAN—scheduled for June 19 to July 18 in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya—begin in September.