Dakar: The Senegal national team has announced the dismissal of Pape Joo from his position as head coach. Joo has been in charge of the team since December 2024 and previously led them to a victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. However, the team's performance at the 2026 World Cup has been a point of contention.
According to Thai News Agency, Senegal's World Cup campaign started poorly with losses against France and Norway in the group stage. Despite this, they managed a significant 5-0 victory over Iraq to advance to the round of 32. In the knockout stage, they led Belgium 2-0 but ultimately lost 2-3 in extra time. This string of performances has led to increased scrutiny of Joo's leadership.
Additionally, the team's internal dynamics have been affected by issues involving key midfielder Pape Gueye, who has stated his refusal to play under Joo's management. This has added pressure on the national team, prompting the decision to relieve Joo of his duties.