Tunisia: Club Athlétique Bizertin part ways with coach Chiheb Ellili 

Club Athlétique Bizertin have dismissed head coach Chiheb Ellili following a difficult sequence of results that saw the Tunisian side suffer three consecutive Ligue 1 defeats.

The decision was announced by the club’s board after losses against Olympique de Béja, AS Marsa and Etoile du Sahel increased pressure around the coaching staff despite the team securing its Ligue 1 survival objective earlier in the season.

The club is now expected to turn toward Sofiene Hidoussi, who could return to the Bizertin bench for an eighth spell after leaving his position at US Ben Guerdane.

Consecutive defeats prove costly

Ellili’s departure follows a disappointing run that significantly weakened the team’s momentum during the closing stages of the campaign.

Club Athlétique Bizertin were beaten in successive matches by Olympique de Béja, AS Marsa and Etoile du Sahel, results that ultimately convinced the club’s leadership to make a managerial change.

The sequence of defeats increased pressure on the technical staff at a crucial moment of the season, especially as expectations remained high despite the club avoiding relegation danger.

While the team had already secured its place in Ligue 1, the recent performances appeared to influence the board’s decision to end Ellili’s tenure.

The move highlights how short-term results often shape coaching decisions in Tunisian football, even when broader seasonal objectives have been achieved.

Survival objective successfully achieved

Despite the dismissal, Ellili leaves after achieving one of the club’s principal targets for the season.

Under his leadership, Club Athlétique Bizertin succeeded in maintaining their Ligue 1 status, ensuring the team would continue competing in the top division next season.

That achievement had initially eased concerns surrounding the club’s campaign and appeared to stabilise the situation around the coaching staff.

However, the late-season decline in results changed the atmosphere around the team and eventually led the board to reconsider its position.

The decision therefore reflects the balance clubs often attempt to maintain between long-term objectives and immediate performances on the pitch.

Although Ellili managed to guide the team away from relegation difficulties, the final sequence of defeats proved decisive in determining his future.

Sofiene Hidoussi expected to return

Attention is now turning toward Sofiene Hidoussi, who is expected to replace Ellili on the Club Athlétique Bizertin bench.

Hidoussi recently left his role at US Ben Guerdane and now appears set for another return to the club.

If confirmed, the appointment would mark his eighth spell in charge of Club Athlétique Bizertin, underlining his long-standing connection with the Tunisian side.

Repeated returns to the same club are not uncommon in Tunisian football, particularly when coaches are familiar with the club environment and expectations.

Hidoussi’s experience with Bizertin may therefore be viewed as an important factor behind the board’s expected decision.

The possibility of another return also demonstrates the level of trust the club continues to place in his understanding of the team and its structure.

Coaching instability remains common

Managerial changes remain a recurring feature of Tunisian football, where clubs frequently react quickly to periods of poor form.

Even when coaches achieve important objectives, pressure surrounding immediate performances often influences decision-making at board level.

Ellili’s departure is another example of how rapidly situations can evolve within competitive domestic leagues.

The club’s decision to consider an experienced figure such as Hidoussi also reflects the tendency of teams to prioritise familiar profiles during periods of uncertainty.

For Club Athlétique Bizertin, the priority will now be restoring stability and rebuilding momentum ahead of the next stage of the season.

New chapter begins for Bizertin

The coming days are expected to clarify the club’s managerial situation and confirm whether Hidoussi will officially take charge once again.

After securing Ligue 1 survival, the focus for Club Athlétique Bizertin will shift toward improving consistency and avoiding another difficult sequence of results.

Ellili’s exit closes a chapter marked by mixed outcomes — successful survival on one hand, but disappointing late-season performances on the other.

As the club prepares for another transition on the bench, supporters will now wait to see whether a familiar face can help guide the team forward once more.