France veteran Alain Giresse is set to take over as head coach of Libya next week after agreeing terms to guide the country through their 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Libyan Football Federation (FLF) announced Tuesday.
"The negotiations are at a very advanced stage with Alain Giresse who should arrive next week in Libya to sign a rolling contract to be coach of the national team," FLF president Muftah Goueidar said.
The deal is set to offer the former France international 25,000 euros ($33,000) a month but specified that the "qualification for the 2014 World Cup is an obligatory condition for the contract to be renewed".
Current head coach Abdulhafid Arbich, who failed to guide the team past Algeria in 2013 African Nations Cup qualifying, will be kept on as an assistant coach to Giresse, the federation confirmed.
Giresse, 60, is a recipient of France's highest civilian award the Legion d'Honneur for his services to football, began his playing career in 1970 at Bordeaux.
He was a key member of the 1982 and 1986 World Cup sides that reached the semi-finals.
He was in the France team that won the 1984 European Championship and quit his international career in 1986 with six goals in 47 appearances.
A well-known figure in Africa, he has coached Georgia, Gabon and Mali as well as spells with Toulouse, Paris Saint-Germain and FAR Rabat of Morocco.
His best showing as an international coach was guiding Mali to third place at the 2012 CAN that was eventually won by Zambia.
Source: AFP
