The coaches of both Nations Cup finalists wore Paris colours during their playing careers.
Senegal coach Aliou Cissé (61 matches and 2 goals from 1999 to 2001) carried on the tradition of Parisian players who have shone in the shirt of the Lions of Teranga, following in the footsteps of the likes of Boubacar Sarr or Jules Bocandé. A fervent supporter of Paris Saint-Germain, and taking his first steps in the game in the Paris region (Champigny-sur-Marne, Viry-Châtillon and Joinville-le-Pont), the central defender did not establish himself in Rouge-et-Bleu colours, despite an excellent performance as his country's captain at the 2002 World Cup, which led him to move to Birmingham after a season on loan at Montpellier.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi also started in Champigny-sur-Marne, and was at the club's youth academy along with Nicolas Anelka. The diminutive, highly technical midfielder convinced then-boss Luis Fernandez to give him his top-flight debut in a 1-1 draw with Gueugnon at the Parc des Princes on 10 January, 1996, before he left for Martigues where his career took off.