Loto Popo - Cheikh Gueye: "I didn't come to play for survival"
Senegalese coach Cheikh Gueye talks about signing for Loto Popo FC, his motivations and his ambitions with the club.
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What is your immediate reaction after signing?
Cheikh Gueye: I'm delighted to be at Loto Popo, working with my whole staff and the club's entire management to achieve the objectives I've been set. Over the last three or four years that I've followed Loto Popo, I've noticed that it's an ambitious club. I thank the directors for their sense of ambition. I haven't come to a club that plays for survival, but to a club that wants to finish in the top five.
How do you intend to rebuild your reputation at Loto Popo?
Cheikh Gueye: To bring the league title back to Loto Popo, I think it starts with hard work. After that, you need group cohesion, taking every link in the chain into account. So we'll need cohesion among everyone working at the club, cohesion within the staff and cohesion between the players too. Through work, discipline and cohesion, I think we can well and truly be champions of Benin.
Tell us about the objectives you've been set.
The objectives are to be among the leading contenders in the league (to win the league) and, in the future, to compete at African level.
What are your personal ambitions?
My ambition is to be champion of Benin, because you can't be at an ambitious club and be less ambitious than the club.
How long are you at Loto Popo for?
I'm at Loto Popo for as long as it takes. I'm here to try to win as many trophies as possible and to make Loto Popo a team on the African stage.
What can you tell us about your start in coaching?
I started in this profession in Spain, in academies and amateur clubs such as Atlètic Segre, Mig Segria and Soses CF. My first experience in Senegal was in the 2015-2016 season with Guédiawaye FC. After that I went on to Stade de Mbour, AS Kaloum (Guinea), ASC Jaraaf and Teungheth FC.
Any final words?
I'd like to take this opportunity to appeal to all the supporters to back the club. I thank the club's directors for giving me the opportunity to come to Benin and coach this club, Loto Popo.