Tom Saintfiet steps down as Mali football team manager after two years
Tom Saintfiet has officially stepped down from his role as manager of Mali’s national football team. The announcement came via an Instagram post on Wednesday, following a Monday letter detailing his departure. The 53-year-old coach received glowing tributes from Mali’s football federation (FEMAFOOT) and its president, Mahazou Cisset, who issued a statement on Tuesday praising his “sincere thanks for the accomplished work.”
- Updated on April 29, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Tom Saintfiet reflected on his tenure as Mali’s national team manager, stating he had completed his mission with “pride and dedication, despite challenging circumstances.” He expressed deep gratitude to the Malian people for their unwavering support, as well as to his players, staff, federation officials, and government representatives. The Belgian coach specifically praised the FEMAFOOT president as a “true gentleman for his commitment to dialogue and compromise.”
In his Instagram announcement, Saintfiet revealed he had managed 17 official matches for Mali since taking charge in August 2024, including three friendlies. His record stands at nine wins, six draws, and two losses across these games, which spanned Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, and the recent AFCON tournament where Mali reached the quarter-finals before falling to eventual champions Senegal.
Amid Mali’s ongoing security challenges, exacerbated by attacks linked to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and other groups, Saintfiet also shared a heartfelt message. “In these particularly difficult times facing Mali, my heartfelt thoughts go out to the Malian people and the nation as a whole. I send a message of compassion, solidarity, and unity more than ever.”
A seasoned African football manager, Saintfiet has previously led teams from Gambia, Togo, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia throughout his career.
