Uncertain future

Threatened player exodus mars Auxerre's cup win

PARIS (Reuters) -- Despite its 2-1 win over Paris St Germain in the French Cup final on Saturday to gain a UEFA Cup place, Auxerre faces an uncertain future.

The club has agreed to let go defender Jean Alain Boumpsong, Senegal international midfielder Khalilou Fadiga and influential striker Olivier Kapo at the end of the season.

So far, the trio are still looking to join another side but coach Guy Roux knows he will have a lot of summer homework to revamp a side capable of dealing with a European campaign.

Celtic Glasgow is interested in signing Fadiga while Boumsong, scorer of the winning goal one minute from time, has contacts with Olympique Marseille who are going to play the preliminary round of the Champions League.

Kapo who earned his first caps for France since coach Jacques Santini took over from sacked Roger Lemerre after the last year's World Cup debacle would like to join Arsenal.

To add salt to the wounds, Roux learned that prolific goalscorer Djibril Cisse was unhappy with Auxerre and would love to move to Liverpool.

On the eve of the French Cup final, 21-year-old Cisse confirmed he would leave if allowed.

"I'm ready to take the risk to go. I have to consider any opportunity which could come up," he said.

Reluctant

But Roux confirmed he was reluctant to let the French striker go as his current contract runs until 2007.

"I know that in France deals don't mean anything but in Auxerre when we sign a deal it's to establish links with someone," Roux said.

"I can't and I don't want to say much more now. We will have time to review the situation."

Nothing has been done for promising Philippe Mexes but the international defender is eager to experience another club to boost his chances of playing for France in next year's European championship.

If the situation is not what he would have dreamed of, Roux does not seem to be unduly worried. Since he started coaching Auxerre in the 1960s, he has won the reputation of a man able to build a team with little known or untried players.

"I have done a lot of things throughout my career and you can be sure that the French Cup was not my last campaign," he said.

 

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