Philippe Troussier’s name doesn’t bring up the fondest memories for many Bafana Bafana fans.
His short-lived tenure as head coach of the South African national team left a trail of disappointment and confusion among supporters.
The Short and Disastrous Bafana Bafana Tenure
Troussier, a French coach with an impressive resume, had a career spanning four decades and eight national teams.
His coaching journey included stints with 14 different clubs, and he had already enjoyed success with Burkina Faso, leading them to the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, despite his reputation, his appointment as Bafana Bafana’s head coach just weeks before the 1998 FIFA World Cup left many South African fans frustrated.
Troussier replaced caretaker coach Jomo Sono, who had led the team to the final of the continental tournament earlier that year.
The decision was met with anger, as many fans felt Sono deserved to continue or that Clive Barker, the 1996 AFCON-winning coach, should have been appointed instead.
Sadly, Troussier’s time with South Africa was a failure.
The team was knocked out in the group stages of the World Cup without winning a single game, leading to his immediate dismissal after the tournament.
He quickly moved on to coach the Japan national team.
Reflecting on His Mistakes
In a 2020 interview with Kick-Off, Troussier opened up about his regrets during his brief World Cup stint.
He acknowledged that his typical approach—building a united, aggressive, and efficient team—didn’t mesh well with the South African players.
He admitted that his style may have inadvertently caused tension and hurt feelings among the squad, describing how it could have made him appear “pretentious” and “ugly.”
Troussier’s Career After Bafana Bafana
Despite his rocky time with Bafana, Troussier went on to find success with the Japan national team.
His tenure in Japan lasted four years, and during this time, he helped the Samurai Blue reach the last 16 in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was held on home soil.
This was the longest time Troussier spent with any one team, and his success with Japan gave his career a much-needed boost.
However, after leaving Japan, Troussier’s coaching career became more erratic.
In 2023, he took over as the head coach of Vietnam but lasted only a year.
His time with the team came to a bitter end after Vietnam suffered back-to-back defeats to regional rivals Indonesia in World Cup qualifying.
The losses, including Vietnam’s first home defeat to Indonesia in nearly 20 years, sparked outrage among local fans.
The 69-year-old coach faced chants calling for his resignation.
A Legacy of Ups and Downs
Philippe Troussier’s career is a mixture of highs and lows.
While he had success with teams like Japan, his brief and troubled stint with Bafana Bafana has made him a controversial figure in South African football history.
As he moves on from coaching, many will remember him for the painful World Cup failure, though his legacy is undoubtedly shaped by both his successes and his failures across the globe.