Robert Nouzaret has quit as coach of the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing differences with the national federation on Wednesday.
The 67-year-old also told AFP he was retiring as a coach.
"There was a difference of opinion with the Congolese federation," said Nouzaret who only signed a two year contract in August 2010.
"My assistants were sacked and I have not had the freedom to choose the team."
The announcement comes days before the Congolese face Senegal in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. They are currently second in Group E, three points behind Saturday's opponents.
"I can no longer work under these conditions. It is difficult to work in DRC, and I can draw comparisons from previous experiences," said Nouzaret who has also had spells in charge of Ivory Coast and Guinea.
According to the Frenchman, the federation ordered him to pick only local-based players; his assistants were dismissed after the 3-0 friendly defeat by Gambia earlier this month.
He also insisted that he would not be going back on to the job market.
"I had said that after the DRC job, I would stop. So, I am stopping."
As a player, Nouzaret enjoyed a 22-year career between 1964 and 1976 as a midfielder, numbering Lyon and Bordeaux among his clubs.
As a coach he returned to Lyon in the 1980s and also had stints at French sides Saint-Etienne and Montpellier as well as the three African nations.
Source: AFP
