Ethiopia’s football authorities have confirmed that Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet was their preferred choice to take charge of the national team, but financial constraints ultimately forced the federation to look elsewhere.
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) recently announced the return of Yohannes Sahle to the national team bench, nine years after his previous spell in charge.
The decision followed the departure of former head coach Mesay Teferi and came after a period of internal review by the federation.
Speaking on the Amharic-language sports podcast Sebategna, comments reported by The Reporter Ethiopia, EFF secretary general Bahiru Tilahun revealed that several candidates were considered before a final decision was reached. Among them, Saintfiet emerged as the leading option.
“We first surveyed the market. Most of us wanted to recruit Tom Saintfiet, the coach of Mali. He already had promising experience and we hoped he could have proven himself.
But we don’t have the resources,” Tilahun said.
Saintfiet, 52, is no stranger to Ethiopian football, having previously managed the national team during a brief spell in 2011.
His earlier tenure, though short-lived, left a positive impression, particularly for the competitive structure he introduced during his time in charge.
The Belgian coach, who has also served as head coach of The Gambia, gained recognition for assembling disciplined and resilient teams.
One of the standout moments of his career came when his side secured a notable 2-2 draw against Nigeria during the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tilahun explained that despite Saintfiet’s profile and familiarity with Ethiopian football, the federation’s financial position prevented further progress in negotiations.
“As the Ethiopian Football Federation, we examined the matter in detail and discussed it. But the financial situation did not allow us to go any further.
So we decided to favour a local coach,” he added.
The appointment of Yohannes Sahle reflects that decision, as the federation opted for continuity and affordability at a time of limited resources.
Sahle’s return is seen as a pragmatic solution, with the EFF prioritising stability while navigating economic challenges.
The comments offer a rare insight into the federation’s selection process and underline the financial realities shaping coaching appointments across African football.
While Saintfiet remains highly regarded within Ethiopian football circles, the federation acknowledged that ambition had to be balanced against practical constraints.
For now, Ethiopia will move forward under familiar leadership, while Saintfiet continues his work with Mali, the coach the federation openly admits was their first choice.
