led the team into the tournament, which saw Cameroon finish bottom of their group after two losses and a draw. In April 2018, Song was one of 77 applicants for the vacant Cameroon national team job. He assumed the role on a caretaker basis later in the year. On 17 October 2018, FECAFOOT announced that Song would take control of the Cameroon under-23 team for the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campaign. On 28 February 2022, it was announced that Song replaced Toni Conceição as the manager of the senior Cameroon national team. He guided Cameroon to the 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Algeria in the final hurdle. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, his Cameroon team failed to progress from the group stage, despite becoming the first manager to guide Cameroon to their first World Cup victory since 2002 against mighty Brazil with a shock 1–0 win. Outside football Personal life Song's father, Paul Song, died when he was young. As such, he never really knew his father but nevertheless dedicates all his success to him, as his absence was a strong motivational force for him. Song is married to Esther Song, and has four children (two sons and two daughters): Ronny, Bryan, Yohanna Bernadette and Hillary Veronique Liliane. They currently live in Liverpool. Rigobert is also a national ambassador for Cameroon. His nephew Alex Song has played as a defensive midfielder for clubs in France, England, Spain and Russia. About the relationship with Rigobert, Alex said, "I speak to him all the time and always call on him for advice. He's a good person to talk to because of his experience in England and I can ask him anything, depending on situations." Illness On 3 October 2016, Song suffered a cerebral attack and was hospitalised in Cameroon. He was in a coma for two days after having had a stroke with doctors planning to transfer him to a French hospital for further treatment. He returned to Cameroon in April 2017 and resumed coaching duties with Cameroon A' later that year. Career statistics Club International Source: List of international goals scored by Rigobert Song Managerial Honours Metz Coupe de la Ligue: 1995–96 Liverpool UEFA Cup: 2000–01 Galatasaray Süper Lig: 2005–06, 2007–08 Turkish Cup: 2004–05 Trabzonspor Turkish Cup: 2009–10 Cameroon African Cup of Nations: 2000, 2002; runner-up: 2008 Confederations Cup runner-up: 2003 Individual Africa Cup of Nations Player