Ethiopia considered Saintfiet before turning to local coach

Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) secretary general Bahiru Tilahun stated that Mali coach Tom Saintfiet was the first choice to take the Ethiopian national team job.

EFF recently appointed Yohannes Sahle as head trainer as he makes a return to the helm after nine years.

Speaking to the Amharic Sport Podcast Sebategna, Tilahun said the Federation had options to replace former coach Mesay Teferi, and one of them was Saintfiet. “We tried to look into the market first. Most of us wanted Tom Saintfiet, head coach of Mali. There was something he started before, and we hoped that he could have shown something. But we can’t afford that.”

Saintfiet, 52, was head coach of Ethiopia for a brief period in 2011. He was well known for assembling a strong squad that played out a memorable 2–2 draw against Nigeria during the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Mali Coach Tom Saintfiet Was Ethiopia’s First Choice, Reveals EFF

The Mali coach previously stated that he was open to the Ethiopia job if given the chance. Since leading Ethiopia, Saintfiet has had a successful career in Gambia and now Mali. The well-traveled head coach is still under contract with the Eagles.

The EFF executive committee held a meeting on the next coach of Ethiopia before settling on Sahle. “As the Ethiopian Football Federation, we went through the details and discussed it. But the financial situation did not allow us to go further. So we decided to go for a local head coach,” Tilahun added.

Apart from Saintfiet, Tilahun revealed that South Sudanese side Jamus coach Webetu Abate and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia head trainer Betselot Luelseged were in contention.

EFF gave Sahle a two-year contract and tasked him with qualifying for the 2027 African Cup of Nations. The Waliyas will kick-start their qualifying campaign in the preliminary rounds in March against São Tomé and Príncipe.