Alian Giresse steps down as Mali coach

Alain Giresse.

Friday Sep 08, 2017. 13:30

Information coming through from Egypt is that Mali national team coach Alain Giresse has stepped down as the Eagles coach.

It is reported that Giresse has resigned from his post just after their 0-0 draw against Morocco in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifier on Tuesday.

In the wake of the stalemate, Mali are at the depth of Group C with two points from four games, five shy of leaders Cote d’Ivoire.

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According to a report from the Confederation of African Football website, Giresse says he decided to stop because his role was complicated.

“It has become complicated for me. There are times when you must know how to stop,” Giresse told CAFOnline.com.

The French manager’s position had become untenable after a 6-0 drubbing by the Atlas Lions in the reverse fixture in Rabat.

Giresse was in charge of the side between 2010 and 2012, leading Les Aigles to third place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

However, he was re-appointed in March 2015, but failed to steer the West Africans to glory as they failed to go past the group stage at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.