A new chapter begins for Mali football. Tom Saintfiet, who took charge in August 2024, is no longer the national team’s head coach, as confirmed by the Malian Football Federation.
The Belgian tactician steered the Aigles du Mali to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), adopting a pragmatic approach: three draws in the group stage, followed by a dramatic extra-time win over Tunisia in the round of 16. Their journey ended against Senegal in a tightly contested 0-1 defeat.
Contrary to speculation, the split appears amicable. Official statements from both the Federation and Saintfiet suggest the parting was smooth, with no lingering disputes. Earlier reports had hinted at unpaid wages, but the Belgian’s public gratitude toward Mahazou Baba Cisset, the Federation’s president, implies those concerns have been resolved.
searching for Mali’s next football coach
The exit of Tom Saintfiet was widely anticipated, given Mahazou Baba Cisset’s earlier remarks about seeking a new football coach for Mali. The president outlined specific requirements, emphasizing the need for an African coach with prior experience in leading a team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
This narrows the field to a select group of elite coaches, including names like Aliou Cissé (Senegal), Djamel Belmadi (Algeria), and Walid Regragui (Morocco). With Mali’s search underway, one of these experienced tacticians could soon be on the phone, weighing their next move.