ALIOU CISSE is set for worldwide recognition at Russia 2018.
His name is familiar to many England soccer fans as well as to those in his native Senegal.
The 42-year-old’s playing career began with Lille OSC before moving onto CS Sedan and then Paris Saint-Germain.
The defensive midfielder also appeared for Montpellier before crossing the channel and making his mark in England.
So, what does Aliou Cisse do now?
Cisse is head coach of the Senegal national team.
The Lions will compete in Group H and play Colombia, Poland and Japan.
Tell me about his time in England?
When Cisse left Montpellier in 2002 he signed for Birmingham in the Premier League. He proceeded to make a name for himself as a ‘dirty player’.
Cisse made his debut at Arsenal on the opening day of the season, but was sent off.
Though the sending-off was rescinded, he went on to pick up five yellow cards in six games, picking up ten yellow cards before the New Year.
He did impress throughout the rest of the campaign, though, but returned late for pre-season training in July 2003, leading manager Steve Bruce to transfer list him.
At the end of the season he signed for Portsmouth for £300,000 on a two-year contract, beating off strong competition from Premiership rivals Bolton Wanderers.
He ended his playing career in France with Ardennes and then Nimes.
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What about his international career?
Cisse captained Senegal to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, famously beating holders France en route.
He was also part of the Senegal team who were the runners-up in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, but was one of the players who missed a penalty during the shootout in the final as they lost to Cameroon.
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And management?
Cisse was made assistant coach of Senegal in 2010 and interim manager two years later.
In 2015 he was appointed full-time boss of his country.
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