After seven years as one of The FA's most respected coaches, followed by 11 more in club management, Mick now embarks on possibly his greatest challenge as coach of the Congo team pitting their wits against 15 other African countries at the Continent's equivalent of the European Championship.

Culture shock would be an understatement to explain Wadsworth's experiences since taking over as coach to the Democratic Republic of Congo's national team in November. Compared with management at home, it's like chalk and cheese. "I'm excited about the tournament of course but parts of the job are very frustrating," Wadsworth told TheFA.com.

"Remember you're dealing with governments so the biggest player in the whole game is the Sports Minister who liaises with the football federation. The whole process is cumbersome and time-consuming. To get instant decisions on the simplest of things is very difficult."

Paying his own air tickets and waiting for the money to be re-imbursed is all part of his new  job, says Wadsworth, so why take it on in the first place? "Because the African Nations Cup excited me. After the World Cup, it's probably the most colourful tournament there is. I've always found it fascinating even though some clubs here try to undermine it."

It all started when Lomano LuaLua, Congo's best player, was asked if he knew a foreigner who could take over as coach of the war-torn country who have a proud footballing history.

LuaLua worked with Wadsworth when he was head coach at Newcastle under Sir Bobby Robson, and pointed the Congolese FA in his direction. "They've got a guy based in Hamburg who does a lot of liaison work and he came over and talked to Bobby who spoke highly of me," said Mick.

"I hadn't applied for any jobs since being out of work after leaving Huddersfield last year because I've had my nose to the ground for 20 years or so and was enjoying the rest. But I've always admired African football and I thought it would be a perfect re-introduction after seven months out of the game."

As Zaire, Congo were the first African country to qualify for the World Cup Finals in 1974 and have twice won the African Nations Cup. In recent years, however, they have been second best to the likes of Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria. Wadsworth's task is to turn their fortunes round in a group that comprises host nation Tunisia, Guinea and Rwanda.

"Unfortunately some of our best European-based players aren't coming out. Lots of others have taken up citizenship with other countries, like the Mpenza brothers, even though FIFA have changed the rules in terms of dual nationality.

"I've spent four weeks in training with them but the trickle of players who will eventually make up the final squad is a long process. As I say, it can be frustrating at times.

"The whole teaching process has to be started again every time a few more turn up but they are fantastic to work with. We're no Cameroon but they all work so hard."

Wadsworth hopes that two decades of coaching experience can get the "Simbas", as they are nicknamed, at least beyond the group stage. If he succeeds, he can in part thank Sir Bobby Robson who, he says, has been a major influence on his career.

"If I've made one mistake, I should never have left Newcastle for Southampton but they offered me a fantastic contract to go and work with Stuart Gray. Bobby pleaded with me not to go.

"It's incredible how much knowledge he's got and it's probably the only time I've ever let money rule my head. But Bobby and I are still great friends and he thinks I've made the right choice with the Congo and that's good enough for me."

When the competition got under way, Wadsworth did not enjoy the most auspicious of starts. First, his tickets for the opening game between group rivals Tunisia and Rwanda did not arrive in time and he was forced to watch on television, much to his irritation..

"The people who are supposed to be our liaison would not help us get to the stadium," Wadsworth said. "They wouldn't even take us to the venue. Winning is not important without an element of sportsmanship. The country can't surely be that desperate to win."

Then, on Sunday, Guinea came back from a goal down to beat his Congo side 2-1.

"We simply got stretched and all the things we worked on disappeared in the last 30 minutes," said Wadsworth.

Congo were defeated 3-0 by Tunisia in their second game.