Andreas Hey: A Global Journey Through Football Management
The career of Andreas Hey is a testament to the nomadic nature of professional football management. Spanning multiple continents and diverse footballing cultures, Hey has transitioned between club management, national team leadership, and high-level technical administration.
Key Facts
- Early Start: Began his managerial path in Germany with VfR Neumünster.
- National Team Experience: Managed Lesotho, Gambia, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Myanmar.
- Administrative Roles: Served as Technical Director for both Libya and Bahrain.
- Club Management: Coached Al-Merrikh in Sudan and ES Sétif in Tunisia.
Early Career and African National Teams
Andreas Hey launched his management career in his native Germany with VfR Neumünster. Seeking new challenges, he moved to Africa, where he took charge of the Lesotho national team. This marked the beginning of a long association with African football.
From September 2006 to March 2007, Hey managed the Gambia national team, though his tenure was complicated by financial concerns. He later took the helm of the Liberia national team in February 2008, followed by an appointment as the coach of the Kenyan national team in February 2009. His time in Kenya ended abruptly when he walked out on the team shortly before a critical World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, following disputes with the governing body regarding team selection.
Transition to Technical Directorship
Shifting his focus from the touchline to the boardroom, Hey moved into administrative leadership. From 2010 until 2014, he served as the Technical Director for the Libyan Football Federation. A Technical Director is responsible for the overall strategic development of a country's footballing infrastructure and coaching standards.
Following his success in Libya, he held the same role for the Bahrain Football Association from 2015 until 2016, further expanding his expertise in Asian football governance.
Return to Management and Asian Ventures
In November 2016, Hey returned to active management with the Sudanese club Al-Merrikh. However, this stint was short-lived; he was sacked in January 2017 following a series of poor results, culminating in a draw against ASAS Djibouti Télécom in the 2017 UAFA Club Championship.
After being shortlisted for the Rwanda national team role in February 2017, he was officially appointed in March 2017, remaining in the position until January 2018.
In May 2018, Hey signed a one-and-a-half-year deal in a dual capacity as the manager of both the Myanmar national team and its under-23 squad. His tenure was marked by a controversial draw against Vietnam during the 2018 AFF Championship, where he faced criticism for aggressive behavior toward Vietnamese players and manager Park Hang-seo. This led to his dismissal in December 2018, although he eventually returned to Myanmar in October 2019.
Recent Appointments
Most recently, Hey returned to club football in July 2025 when he was appointed manager of the Tunisian club ES Sétif. This tenure was brief, as he was sacked on October 2, 2025, after six games due to poor results.
| Organization/Team | Role | Period |
|---|---|---|
| VfR Neumünster | Manager | Early Career |
| Gambia | Manager | 2006 – 2007 |
| Liberia | Manager | 2008 |
| Kenya | Coach | 2009 |
| Libyan Football Federation | Technical Director | 2010 – 2014 |
| Bahrain Football Association | Technical Director | 2015 – 2016 |
| Al-Merrikh | Manager | 2016 – 2017 |
| Rwanda | Manager | 2017 – 2018 |
| Myanmar / Myanmar U-23 | Manager | 2018 – 2018 / 2019 |
| ES Sétif | Manager | 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which national teams has Andreas Hey managed?
Andreas Hey has managed the national teams of Lesotho, Gambia, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Myanmar.
What administrative roles has he held?
He served as the Technical Director for the Libyan Football Federation (2010–2014) and the Bahrain Football Association (2015–2016).
Why did Andreas Hey leave the Kenyan national team?
He walked out on the team shortly before a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria due to disputes with the governing body over team selection.
What happened during his first stint with Myanmar?
He was sacked in December 2018 following criticism for his aggressive behavior toward the Vietnamese team and manager Park Hang-seo during the 2018 AFF Championship.
How long was his tenure at ES Sétif?
His tenure was very short; he was appointed in July 2025 and sacked on October 2, 2025, after managing only six games.