Congolese giants TP Mazembe have presided over one of the most civilized coaching transitions rarely seen in African football.
While some clubs fire coaches via mobile phone text message and they leave in an acrimonious manner, the Congolese side has ensured a proper handover between outgoing coach Lamine N’Diaye and his successor Slimane Raho.
The outgoing Senegalese mentor met his successor who took him through the TP Mazembe squad and shared handover notes in a gentleman’s manner.
A statement from the Linafoot Ligue 1 giants confirms the smooth handover soon after the arrival of the Algeria-born Frenchman on Friday.
HOW N’DIAYE HANDED OVER POWER TO RAHO
“He immediately met with the board of directors, as well as the members of the outgoing staff, led by Lamine Mamadou N’Diaye, during a meeting that also included the technical staff and the team captains,” reads the statement.
“In the same vein, Lamine Mamadou Ndiaye, Slimane Raho and all the members of the technical staff met for another handover meeting, held in an exceptional atmosphere. Since TPM is like a family for both coaches, coach Lamine Mamadou Ndiaye handed over to his successor a complete overview of the current squad.”
The 51-year-old coach has signed a contract for the rest of the season. His task is to revive the fortunes of the former CAF Champions League winners.
The Senegalese left his post after TP Mazembe 2-1 away win at Sanga Balende in their week 17 fixture on Thursday.
The 69-year-old was making his second stint at the club after previously working as a manager and technical director between 2010 and 2014.
Under the guidance of the former Senegal national team assistant coach, the Ravens won one CAF Champions League and two CAF Super cups. The veteran tactician was also at the helm when the Ravens made their famous run at the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, where they fell to Inter Milan in a 0-3 defeat after becoming the first African club to reach the final.
He leaves the Lubumbashi-based giants on top of Group A table in the DRC’s top-flight Linafoot on 42 points from 17 matches.