Preparations for Ethiopian Premier League season overshadowed by managerial turnover

The managerial merry-go-round has hit top speed in the Ethiopian Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season. A new Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) coaching regulation has played a role in the swift changes of coaches across clubs.

Pan-Africa Football understands that 12 of the 20 Ethiopian top-flight sides will commence their preseason preparations under a new coach. This high number of changes in the technical area of clubs has become a common practice in Ethiopian football. With the changes occurring on average every season, clubs are assembling new squads leaving them in an unhealthy league run.

Adama Ketema, Sheger City, Ethiopian Coffee, Mechal, Hawassa Ketema, Sidama Coffee, Wolayta Dicha, Fasil Kenema, Wolwalo Adigrat University, Sihul Shire, Arsi Negele, and Hadiya Hosaina have either changed their trainers or are on the verge of appointing a new coach. The new EFF coaching regulation has affected clubs like Sheger City and Ethiopian Coffee. According to the new regulation, only coaches with CAF A or B licenses will be allowed to lead a team in the top flight for the 2025/26 season.

The managerial merry-go-round might carry on, with new appointments expected across clubs in the league. Many Ethiopian football enthusiasts argue that the current trend will not help the development of football in the East African nation. With the same faces still leading clubs in Ethiopia, the EFF needs to organize more coaching clinics to nurture young coaches.