NATIONAL LEAGUE - CONGO DR - CLUB - COACH - Hubert Velud named new coach of TP Mazembe

AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015 TP MAZEMBE

The 56-year-old Frenchman succeeds his compatriot Patrice Carteron, whose contract expired on 23 December but officially left the club early this month.  

"By appointing the services of Hubert Velud, the club has hired a coach whose reputation is well established on the continent, particularly in the Maghreb countries," the club announced.  

Velud has tasked his 'incredible professionals' with retaining the African Champions League and breaking new boundaries.

That was the message delivered by the charismatic TP Mazembe boss as he met his new charges for the first time on Sunday.

Velud is a former goalkeeper who had worked previously as a coach with clubs in France's lower leagues before he was appointed coach of Togo's national team in October 2009.

He was in charge of the Hawks when they were suspended and fined by CAF for withdrawing after a gun attack on the team bus before the start of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

He left French third division club Creteil to sign a one-year contract with Moroccan side Hassania Agadir in July 2011.

Velud followed that with a brief spell at ES Sétif where he led the side to the 2012/13 Algerian League title.

He followed up that triumph with more success in Algeria.

After leading USM Alger to the Algerian Super Cup in 2013, he also helped them win the League title in 2014.