Giresse resigns as Mali coach

AFP, BAMAKO: Frenchman Alain Giresse has resigned as Mali's head coach with the African country's hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup all but over, the Malian football federation announced on Thursday.

“It was becoming too difficult,” the 65-year-old former French international midfielder told AFP.

“The disappointment is not so much sporting as it is born from misunderstanding. This team cannot achieve its goals.”

A 6-0 thrashing in Morocco and a goalless stalemate in the return fixture on Tuesday left Mali rooted to the bottom of the Group C table in African qualifying, with only the top team reaching Russia next year.

Giresse was in his second spell in charge of Mali, having first led the side from 2010-2012, before returning in 2015.

Giresse resigns as Mali coach

AFP, BAMAKO: Frenchman Alain Giresse has resigned as Malis head coach with the African countrys hopes of qualifying for next years World Cup all but over, the Malian football federation announced on Thursday. It was becoming too difficult, the 65-year-old former French international midfielder told AFP. The disappointment is not so much sporting as it is born from misunderstanding. This team cannot achieve its goals. A 6-0 thrashing in Morocco and a goalless stalemate in the return fixture on Tuesday left Mali rooted to the bottom of the Group C table in African qualifying, with only the top team reaching Russia next year. Giresse was in his second spell in charge of Mali, having first led the side from 2010-2012, before returning in 2015.