Ethiopia turn to Fasil Kenema boss Yohannes Sahle as head coach

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) executive committee has decided to name Yohannes Sahle as the next head coach of the Ethiopian national side. Sahle will be making a shock return to the helm he left nine years ago.

The current Fasil Kenema head coach will still need a green light from the Emperors, as he is still under contract.

Ethiopia were without a coach following the departure of Mesay Teferi in November 2025. Different names and potential coaches were said to be interested in the job, with EFF working behind the scenes to get a new trainer before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kick off.

A statement from EFF reads that Sahle was selected after the executive committee meeting in Addis Ababa on New Year’s Day. “The Ethiopian Football Federation has selected Yohannes Sahle to be the next Ethiopia coach after an evening meeting of the Executive Committee.”

Sahle is still under contract with Ethiopian Premier League side Fasil Kenema. EFF is in talks with the club so that Sahle can be freed from his contractual obligations. It is a huge blow for Fasil Kenema, as the club sit second in the standings with 24 points. Fasil, under Sahle, remain the only side not to have lost a single game this season. Sahle joined Fasil Kenema in August 2025 and quickly won the hearts of the fans with a positive result as the club maintain a perfect start to new campaign.

Who is Yohannes Sahle?

Sahle was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 1, 1966. He started his career at the now-defunct Ras Hotel before joining top side Saint George in the mid-1980s. He left Ethiopia at a young age and sought refuge in the United States after his brief playing career.

Sahle kick-started his coaching career in America as a grassroots trainer. Since his return to Ethiopia, the former winger has worked as a technical director and head coach of Ethiopian clubs. Sahle has managed Ethiopia U17, Dedebit, Mekele 70 Enderta, Wolwalo Adigrat University, Dire Dawa Ketema, and Hadiya Hossana. He was the Ethiopian national side head coach between April 2015 and April 2016.

His tenure as national side head coach was controversial. He failed to qualify the Waliyas for the 2017 AFCON but helped the team reach the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda. Sahle led Ethiopia in 24 games in all competitions during his stay and won six matches.