Gernot Rohr speaks about his future with Benin’s Cheetahs

Interview

“If I have to leave, I want to leave a team in good shape”

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Gernot Rohr speaks about his future with Benin’s Cheetahs

12.11.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Benin

Central African Republic

With his contract with Benin expiring on December 31, the coach says he has held no discussions about his future and remains focused on sporting objectives.

Gernot Rohr’s future at the helm of the Cheetahs remains uncertain. With his contract set to expire on December 31, the French-German coach was asked what comes next in his spell with the Benin national team. Despite rumours linking him with other national teams, he says no discussions have taken place and prefers to focus on the challenges ahead.

No discussions for now

Asked about reports that several national teams are interested in him, Gernot Rohr confirmed that his contract would soon expire, but said no negotiations were under way:

Yes, it’s true that my contract ends on December 31. There have been no discussions. I’m focused on the match. I’m focused on my team’s progress.

The coach is therefore refusing to let questions about his future overshadow his current mission with Benin.

A mission focused on renewing the squad

Gernot Rohr also recalled the objectives he was given when he arrived. These included rejuvenating a squad he considered ageing, bringing in new players and establishing a playing identity. In his view, this work has already borne fruit, with several young players joining the squad and a recognisable style of play taking shape. “What matters to me is qualifying Benin for the Africa Cup of Nations. My own fate has nothing to do with that,” he stressed.

🚨 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗥𝗢𝗛𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗥 𝗔̀ 𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗘̂𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗨𝗘́𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 👀: « Il est vrai que mon contrat se termine le 31 décembre. Il n’y a eu aucune discussion. Je me concentre sur le match. Je me concentre sur la progression de mon équipe. On m’a donné une mission en arrivant au Bénin. C’était de rajeunir une équipe qui était un peu âgée, un peu vieillissante. Et on a réussi parce qu’on a intégré pas mal de jeunes joueurs et on a trouvé un style de jeu. Ce qui m’intéresse, c’est de qualifier le Bénin pour la CAN. Mon propre sort n’a rien à voir là-dedans. C’est vrai que ça fait quelques années que je travaille en Afrique et qu’on me connaît. J’ai toujours eu la chance d’avoir des jeunes joueurs que j’ai pu intégrer dans les équipes, que ce soit au Soudan, au Nigeria, avec Chukwueze ou Iwobi, ou d’autres. Et ici, j’espère pouvoir y arriver. Et si je dois partir, je souhaite laisser une équipe en bon état, qui a de l’avenir et qui pourra faire une bonne Coupe des Nations. »
— Joueurs Béninois 🇧🇯 (@JoueursBJ) November 12, 2026

The coach also spoke about his experience on the African continent, where he has worked with Sudan and Nigeria. He said he has regularly brought young talents into his various teams, notably naming Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi, who played under him with the Super Eagles. Should he leave the Benin dugout when his contract expires, Rohr wants to leave behind a national team capable of continuing to progress:

And if I have to leave, I want to leave a team in good shape, with a future and capable of having a good Africa Cup of Nations.

For now, no decision has been announced about the future of his collaboration with Benin. The coach’s priority remains qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, before any decision is made about his future.

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