On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Habib Beye , the current Stade Rennais coach, gave an interview organized by the LFP. Between his ambitions for Senegal, his views on the disregard shown by some European clubs towards the tournament, and his own coaching career, the former international offered a frank analysis.

1. The Africa Cup of Nations: a global imperative, a necessary respect

For Habib Beye, the AFCON has changed dimensions. It is no longer just a continental celebration, but an elite competition marked by great tactical homogeneity.

1. The scheduling problem: Beye denounces the lack of preparation (sometimes only 6 days). He points the finger at FIFA and European clubs who, according to him, devalue the tournament in favor of competitions like the Club World Cup.
2. A heartfelt plea: "Clubs must understand that the Africa Cup of Nations is the culmination of a career for these players. It deserves the same consideration as the Euros."

2. Favorites and sporting stakes

When asked about the forces at play for this Moroccan edition, the Senegalese coach identified three major areas:

1. Morocco: The logical favorite at home, buoyed by exceptional momentum.
2. Ivory Coast and Nigeria: Reliable teams with large squads.
3. Senegal: His favorite in heart and mind. Beye firmly believes in a "second star" for the Lions of Teranga, praising the work of Pape Thiaw in passing.

"It's not necessarily the richest nation on paper that wins, but the one that creates the best chemistry in record time."

3. Binational identity: a tactical asset

Looking back at the recent successes of dual-nationality coaches (Cissé, Belmadi, Faé), Beye refuses to see it as a miracle recipe, but rather as an asset for understanding:

1. Dual culture: It allows for better management of hybrid locker rooms, composed of players trained in Europe and on the continent.
2. Transmission: For him, his Franco-Senegalese identity is a daily driving force in his human resources management in Rennes.

4. Stade Rennais: the truth behind the numbers

Despite criticism of the Bretons' start to the season, Habib Beye remains factual and calm about his record:

1. Solidity: With only three defeats in 16 games, Rennes is one of the toughest teams to beat after PSG.
2. Management: He stands by his strong choices (temporary exclusion of Seko Fofana or Ludovic Blas) to prioritize performance in training and mental freshness.
3. Objective: Europe remains the absolute priority, and the current momentum of victories validates his project which began 11 months ago.

5. The "Master of one's own destiny"

The only African coach currently working in the top five European leagues, Beye rejects the label of "likeable anomaly" once used by his mentor, Pape Diouf.

1. Legitimacy through work: He recalls having climbed all the rungs, from the National level to obtaining French diplomas over four years.
2. A message to young people: "I will not let anyone define my future. If a door is closed, I will find a way in." His ambition is clear: to shatter glass ceilings and inspire future generations of coaches from diverse backgrounds.