At 80, there is no question of retirement for Roger Lemerre. Two years after his departure from the Etoile Sportive du Sahel, which he led to 2nd place in the league and victory in the Arab Cup for Champion Clubs, the former coach of the France team (1998-2002), winner of the Euro in 2000, is back in the club located in Sousse, in the north-east of Tunisia. Author of a failed start to the championship (only 1 victory) despite his qualification for the group stage of the Champions League, the ESS had sacked his coach Lassaâd Dridi. Lemerre disembarked Tuesday at Tunis-Carthage airport in front of a nice welcoming committee. Since leading the Carthage Eagles to the African Cup of Nations in 2004, he still has high odds in Tunisia.This is his third visit to the Étoile du Sahel bench after 2013-2014 and 2018-2019.
"It is part of our national heritage"
Accompanied by his assistant Rafik Mohammadi, he led his first training session on Wednesday, during which he never took off his mask.
After two short days with his group, Lemerre was quickly plunged into the heart of the matter, this Friday afternoon, during a late match of the 6th day of LP1.
The ESS was hooked (1-1) by Rejiche at the Olympic stadium in Sousse and remains penultimate in group B of the 1st Tunisian division.
He has work ahead.
But Tunisian fans are enthusiastic about his return to the image of Hedi who manages the
Ettachkila
site
.
: “He is quite simply Tunisia's best coach of all time.
It is part of our national heritage.
We will be forever grateful to him, welcome back to you my general.
"
