French Ligue 1 club Reims has confirmed the appointment of former Mali defender Samba Diawara as their new head coach, Afrosport reports.
Diawara has been in interim capacity at Reims since the club sacked former manager Luka Elsner on 3 February.
His appointment was announced by the club’s general manager, Mathieu Lacour, at a press conference on Thursday.
Speaking to the club website, Lacour said: “Our discussions this week were extremely constructive and resulted in a very clear common position, both on our part and on that of Samba. We have taken the decision to launch a very long-term collaboration with Samba at the head of the first team.
“This is neither an interim nor a temporary choice until the end of the season: Samba is the coach of the professional team, with a long-term vision of the role and our collaboration.”
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘
@staderennais
20h45
Roazhon Park
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Diawara has overseen three games for Reims: a penalty shootout win to progress into the French Cup quarter-finals and two consecutive league defeats at Lyon and at home to Angers.
“The message I have with the players is clear: they will not see another face, they will not see another coach. They will have to deal with me and will have to convince me too,” said Diawara after his appointment.
“I have always had in mind to be the best assistant possible. From now on, I will have to learn another job, but I am determined to do it and there are plenty of people who are ready to help me.”
Diawara must find a way to get Reims firing on all cylinders, as the French club last won a Ligue 1 match on 10 November—a 3-0 win at Le Havre.
Reims are currently 14th in the league standings with 22 points, four points above the relegation play-off spot with 12 games left to play in the season.
Diawara will be at the dugout on Friday when Reims take on 13th-placed Rennes, who is coached by former Senegal international Habib Beye, who was appointed in January.
