Tom Saintfiet interested in Walia job

Tom Saintfiet (Photo: Goal.com)By Collins Okinyo

Belgian Tom Saintfiet has declared his interest in the Ethiopian head coach position left vacant after coach Sewnet Bishaw was sacked on Wednesday.

Saintfiet who was incharge of the Walia Ibex in 2011, caused a stir within ten days of being appointed when he guided Ethiopia local players to a 2-2 draw against African champions Nigeria in Addis Ababa before resigning his position in a huff later.

“Sewnet Bishaw has done a good job with Walia and as a fellow coach I have to give him the credit he deserves. In my tenure as Ethiopia coach I can be credited for selecting and giving a chance to players like Asrat Megersa and Getaneh Kebede who have since made a mark. I left the county because of some disagreement but I believe I have alot to offer Walia especially seeing that the big matches have been a big mountain to climb for them.”

“‘Ethiopia is a very good team that needs a creative tactical and technical approach and I believe I have got what they need to move forward in their endeavour to qualify for big tournaments in future,” Saintfiet told supersport.com from his base in Belgium.

Under Saintfiet’s watch Ethiopia managed 2-2 against Nigeria, 1-0 loss in Guinea, 0-0 against Malawi and 4-2 win against Madagascar in the four months period he was incharge before his arrival Ethiopia had lost 1-4 at home against Guinea, 4-0 in Nigeria.

Forty year old Saintfiet has coached several African teams including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Ethiopia and he was one time technical director of Nigeria before moving to Yanga of Tanzania. He has also coached Yemen.

Source: supersport.com