Haitians slam soccer federation for appointing inexperienced French coach to lead women’s team

CAP-HAÏTIEN—Scores of Haitian soccer fans have taken to social media to condemn the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) for appointing Frenchman Malou Quignette, with no head coaching experience, as the new head coach of the women’s national soccer team. The FHF announced Quignette’s appointment in a Facebook post on Sept. 11, sparking widespread frustration among fans.

Quignette previously served as the assistant coach for Les Grenadières under former head coach Frédéric Gonçalves from August 2023 to summer 2024. However, before this role, he had not been the coach of a senior club in any competitive league or country.

In his seven-year coaching career, Quignette has worked with Division 2 French club Stade Malherbe Caen’s under-11 and under-13 teams, the under-19 team of French D1 club Havre Athletic, and Paris Saint-Germain Academy Pro. He also served as an assistant coach for Havre’s women’s senior team, D.C. United’s U-23 men’s side, and French Division 2 women’s club Thonon Evian Grand Genève Football Club.

“Based on his career so far, he should coach a team in a lower age group like an under-15 girls team, not a national team. This is unbelievable,” commented Prospère Joseph on Facebook. “This is a lack of respect for Corventina [Melchie Dumornay] and other players in D1 Arkema [France’s top women’s division].”

Other players in France’s top division include Batcheba Louis and Kethna Louis. 

The FHF has not yet responded to The Haitian Times’ request for comment or an interview with Quignette.

The FHF has a history of hiring coaches perceived as unqualified or inexperienced, which fans blame for past poor performances and stagnation in the country’s soccer progress. While a coach with limited experience leads the women’s team, the men’s team is guided by a coach previously regarded as mediocre. Despite his “plumber” reputation, Migné remains undefeated in four games, albeit against weaker teams.

Haiti’s women’s team qualified for the 2023 World Cup, signaling a promising future, but recent coaching changes have hindered progress. Quignette’s predecessor, Gonçalves, had only two years of experience coaching a top division team, French club Le Havre AC, and primarily coached under-15 and under-19 clubs. Under his leadership, Haiti failed to qualify for the first Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup, losing 1-0 to a below-average Puerto Rico team in February 2024.

Gonçalves left his role with Haiti to coach Olympique de Marseille’s women’s team in July 2024.

Some Haitian fans fear further team deterioration under Quignette. “Is this a plan to tear the women’s soccer team apart?” Jean Wilson Jean commented on FHF’s Facebook post. 

“The politicians are destroying the country; you guys are destroying the women’s team.”

Despite the Frenchman’s limited experience, the FHF claimed that Quignette had a “remarkable journey with vast experience.” It’s a statement Haitian fans contest.

“When will we start having football at home?” commented Duperly Mikeson. “The team has potential. You guys chose this guy as coach and then said he has a good résumé… My home is special. This is sad.”

Quignette will have the chance to demonstrate his capability despite his lack of experience in an international tournament in Turkey from Oct. 24 to Oct. 30. Haiti will face Mali, the Philippines and Jordan.

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