Le Mans sack coach Duarte

(GSM) – Burkina Faso coach Paolo Duarte has been released from his coaching position at Ligue 1 side Le Mans, following a disagreement with club president.

The 41-year-old Portuguese was appointed by the French outfit in June and had been combining both roles.

However, Duarte was set to be absent for a month with Burkina Faso participating in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club president Henri Legarda had requested the former U.D. Leiria coach to remain with the Ligue 1 side but Duarte turned down the request.

Following this, arrangements were initially made for Duarte’s replacement but with the club currently second from bottom of the French Ligue 1 and having won just two games all season, Henri Legarda has been forced to act.

“We couldn’t, in our position, do without the presence and energy of the head coach of Le Mans for a whole month, even more so in January, a crucial month in the season,” Legarda told the club’s website.

The statement went on to say that Duarte, had explained that he could not go back on his word given to the Burkina Faso FA, leaving both sides with little choice than to terminate their agreement by mutual consent.

Duarte has been in charge of The Stallions since 2008 and guided them through qualifications for Angola 2010.

Arnaud Cormier will now take over at Le Mans until the end of the season with Laurent Peyrelade acting as his assistant.