Bruno Metsu

The Associated Press

LILLE, France (AP) — Bruno Metsu, a Frenchman who coached Senegal in its remarkable run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, has died. He was 59.

His death was announced by the French club Lille, for whom Metsu played from 1979-81 and coached in 1992-93. No cause was given, but media reports said he died early Tuesday following a long battle with cancer.

In 2002, Senegal beat defending champion France 1-0 in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The West African team, in what remains its only appearance at the tournament, went on to defeat Sweden to reach the quarterfinals before losing to Turkey, becoming only the second African team to reach the last eight at the World Cup.

Reflecting the great affection the Senegalese had for Metsu, the country's president, Macky Sall, said the Frenchman with his unmistakable long, wavy hair helped write "the most beautiful pages" so far in Senegal soccer history.

Senegal striker Souleymane Camara told L'Equipe: "More than a coach, he was a big brother for us. What I liked about him was that when we had to work, we worked, when it was time to have a laugh, we laughed.

"His team speech before the France game ... I still talk about it to my friends. He managed to motivate us so much that we couldn't lose. He knew how to find the right words."

Earlier that year, Senegal reached the African Cup of Nations final, where it lost on penalty kicks to Cameroon.

"A thought for those close to Bruno Metsu, a man and a coach who successfully exported the values of French football," the French Football Federation said.

Metsu spent his last years as a coach in the Middle East with spells in charge of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar national teams. He also coached the clubs Al-Gharafa in Qatar and Al Wasl in the UAE, where he replaced Diego Maradona.

Earlier, he also coached Valenciennes, Sedan and Valence before taking charge of Guinea and then Senegal from 2000-02.

Claude Le Roy, a close friend of Metsu's who also coached Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana, said Metsu "fought like a lion."

"We had a lot of adventures together," Le Roy told L'Equipe. "I will remember his magnificent smile and his love of life."

Former Lille teammate Stephane Plancque played for two seasons with Metsu.

"I was younger than him. I knew about him already from his reputation," Plancque said. "We quickly became close and were roommates for away games. He was a great guy."

David Friio, who played for Valence and now works as a scout in France for Manchester United, added on Twitter: "He helped me at a time nobody cared and I will never forget that."