Marc Brys denies that he has resigned as Cameroon’s national coach. The Belgian allegedly offered his resignation on Wednesday in a letter due to unpaid salary, but now denies his departure in a new letter.
The 63-year-old Brys reportedly announced his departure to the ministry and football association FECAFOOT on Wednesday, because he and his staff allegedly had not received a salary for more than sixty days. Brys’ alleged letter also circulated on social media.
FECAFOOT shortly thereafter confirmed the existence of the letter and Brys’ departure. The Ministry of Sport made its voice heard a few hours later with a contradictory message. The ministry communicated that Brys is still the national coach.
In a second letter, Brys denies his departure and claims that his email has been hacked. “I want to state with the utmost certainty that this information is completely untrue. I have never written or sent such a message, let alone a letter of resignation,” Brys writes.
“I am extremely surprised that no one within the Cameroonian association has bothered to contact me before spreading this incorrect information on a large scale. This attitude can be interpreted as hasty decision-making and/or a desire to sideline me.”
Brys calls his so-called departure “fake news.” The coach reportedly immediately contacted the Minister of Sport to indicate that he remains the national coach. The Ministry of Sport has since confirmed that Brys is not resigning.
Eto’o not happy with Brys’ presence
The soap opera surrounding Brys is the umpteenth chapter in the Belgian’s turbulent period with Cameroon. He was appointed as national coach by the ministry in April 2024, but FECAFOOT was not aware of his arrival.
Chairman Samuel Eto’o decided to fire Brys a month later after an open quarrel between the two. Eto’o reversed that decision shortly thereafter, after which the duo seemed to smoke the peace pipe at a joint press conference.
Things remained uneasy behind the scenes. Eto’o refused to accredit Brys’ staff members for some World Cup qualifying matches. Moreover, the former top striker allegedly canceled a players’ bus. Also, balls, shirts and equipment suddenly disappeared from the hotel at a training camp.
Brys accused Eto’o of bullying, but refused to budge. The Belgian will be active with the national team at the Africa Cup at the end of this year. Cameroon also has a chance to participate in the 2026 World Cup. The team is second in the qualifying pool, one point behind leader Cape Verde.