Back on the French Ligue 2 bench, Omar Daf is expected to give Amiens a new lease of life. A 2023-2024 season that he will have to make the most of to show that his mid-season sacking by Dijon was nothing more than an accident.
Omar Daf wants to do better this season with Amiens after his failure at Dijon
There aren't many coaches of color on the bench of a professional soccer club.Especially when you're from Africa, and a thoroughbred African at that. There are almost none on the world circuit, apart from Omar Daf, who is fighting hard to raise the flag of African coaching to the top. The current Amiens coach has the stature and personality to make his mark in a world where the African coach is either an afterthought or a second-rate assistant. Here too, African coaches are often relegated to the reserves. But with Daf, the Senegalese has been a first-team regular since Sochaux (3 years) and Dijon (2 years).
For those who have seen him play, seeing Omar Daf embark on a coaching career comes as no surprise. Daf was the go-between for all his coaches and all the clubs he played for.His calm demeanor, his tactical culture on the pitch and his sense of anticipation on the right flank had made him a future coach. The transition was a smooth one. Daf didn't rush into anything. He took his time, training with Sochaux's youngsters to get to grips with the tricks of the trade.
UEFA licence holder since 2018
It was at Sochaux that his coaching career began. Daf spent 5 seasons with the club's reserve team and then with the first team when he obtained his UEFA license in 2018. He is therefore qualified to manage a professional team with this parchment. Sochaux is not looking for a new coach. The reins of the Lion Cubs have been entrusted to the Senegalese. On an interim basis, then on a contract for 2 full seasons plus an optional 3rd year in November 2021, Daf could then work peacefully. Although everyone expected him to have a career à la Fergusson (Manchester United) or Arsène Wenger (Arenal) at Sochaux, Daf will nonetheless be leaving the Doubs after a respectable 5th place finish in 2021. The former right-back of the Senegalese Lions will be moving to Dijon in 2022. Daf was to sign until 2024, but the adventure was short-lived. He will be sacked on April 23, 2023.
Amiens to bounce back
Still in Ligue 2, Omar Daf wasted no time in finding a bench.Amiens took the gamble and put their faith in the 46-year-old. Daf's first test came to fruition with a 1-0 victory over Quevilly on Matchday 1. All that remains now is to confirm this Saturday, August 12, against Auxerre on Matchday 2 of the French Ligue 2. "All season long, I'll remain demanding! There will always be good things and things to improve, and we can't hide from that. We live with pressure, positive pressure.Every weekend, we'll have to stay focused and challenge ourselves," says Daf.
