Belgian coach Luc Eymael has found a new home at Libyan Ittihad outfit Misrata after a lengthy sabbatical.
The last team he coached was Stade Tunisien of Tunisia, where he left in a huff due to pressing family matters last year.
The former Black Leopards and Free State Stars coach confirmed his move in a telephonic interview.
“I signed a one-year deal a few days ago,” Eymael told FARPost from his new base in western Libya.
Eymael said it was a good feeling to be back in the dugout after almost a year away from the game.
“It’s a good feeling to be back. I needed to be there for my family. Of course, I assisted with several training sessions in the academies to help some friends in Belgium.
“I did that with several teams while I was on a break,” he explained.
The 62-year-old coach, who also had a stint with Tanzania’s Young Africans, revealed that he turned down offers from Kenya, Rwanda, Syria and Egypt.
The team is currently on pre-season, with the league start date yet to be announced.
“I’m still missing seven players, one player in the national Under 23 team; some are foreign nationals yet to arrive. I started training yesterday [Wednesday].
“It’s a young team with experienced players, and I’m looking forward to the season,” he concluded.
The team was founded in 1965 by a group of youngsters who broke away from the “Alahly Misurata” due to disagreements on the club’s direction. It plays its home games at the Misurata Stadium in Misurata City.
The facility was previously the home of the Libya national team and hosted some of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, including the tie against Cameroon.
Libya held the Indomitable Lions to a goalless draw in that particular game.
In 2018, the well-travelled mentor guided Free State Stars to their first cup final in 24 years after beating Maritzburg United 1-0 in the final.
