Gernot Rohr has announced his decision to quit his post as coach of the Burkina Faso national team in favour of a position with the German Football Association, while also freelancing as a television analyst.

His decision comes at a strange time for the Burkinabe, who progressed to the next stage of 2018 World Cup qualifying with Rohr’s guidance, and will have their confidence at a high level as one of the 20 African teams remaining in contention for five places awaiting Africa in Russia.

The 62-year-old will now focus on development programmes for the German FA, while further developing his role as a television analyst.

The Stallions appointed Rohr 10 months ago, with the German tactician given the reigns and a mandate to qualify the team for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2018 World Cup.

The German previously coached both Niger and Gabon, while at club level his experience includes time spent in charge of French clubs Nantes and Nice, Young Boys Berne in Switzerland, and club Etoile Sahel in Tunisia.

African football loses an interesting character with Rohr’s departure, and now the Burkina Faso football federation will need to act fast to find a capable replacement in time for that individual to assume the position and not destabilise the team’s preparations and momentum.