Health worries forced Roux to quit Lens

Aug 27, 2007 - 12:56 PM LENS, France (Ticker) -- Guy Roux has revealed he quit as coach of Lens for health reasons.

News of the 68-year-old's resignation emerged during Lens' 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg on Saturday. Roux had been in charge for less than three months.

He admitted medical factors meant he was no longer up to the task of coaching a top-flight team.

"The problem is the medication I am taking for my heart,'' said the former Auxerre coach, who underwent double heart-bypass surgery in 2001.

"Beta blockers prevent me having any emotion or anger, which is incompatible with the character of a coach. I lack the enthusiasm and the conviction you need to turn a draw into a victory.''

Lens president Gervais Martel, who has since appointed Jean-Pierre Papin as the club's new coach, said he has known about Roux's health difficulties for some time.

"I attach a lot of importance on human relationships,'' said Martel. "Three weeks ago, Guy told me it would be difficult for him. We left it at that but on Thursday, he said to me that he was quitting, with honesty and frankness.

"I immediately understood that it was an irrevocable decision.''