Wangen, Germany – Soccer officials from tiny Togo tried to resolve their coaching soap opera Sunday by contacting the former coach of Cameroon, one day after the man they arrived with at the World Cup abruptly resigned.
Winfried Schaefer spoke with Togolese soccer federation officials for more than three hours at the team hotel, emerging to say he would take over only if a money dispute with players was resolved. Schaefer, who coached Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup, then announced he was going home and the Togolese could call if they wanted to talk further.
“I am ready to become trainer if they accept my conditions,” said Schaefer, a German native like former coach Otto Pfister. “If not, it’s finished.”
The nation’s federation merely said it would contact Schaefer, but wouldn’t be rushed – even as the clock ticked down to Tuesday’s World Cup debut against South Korea.
Togo’s interim coach is unhappy that he might be pushed aside.
“I have been with this team since 1994,” said Mawuena Kodjovi, an assistant to Pfister. “All I can say to you is that I have confidence in the players, and the players have confidence in me.”
Players from the impoverished nation, most of whom play for smaller European clubs, have demanded $200,000 each to play in the tournament, plus $39,000 each per win and $20,000 per draw. The squad repeatedly skipped training sessions in protest.
Incensed by the payment issue, Pfister stormed out early Saturday morning and has refused player entreaties to return.
