Belgian tactician Tom Saintfiet has confirmed his resignation as the head coach of Mali’s national football team, a decision made amidst escalating political tensions across the nation. He had been in the role since the summer of 2024.

Tom Saintfiet is no longer at the helm of the Malian national squad. The Belgian coach, who took up the position in August 2024, revealed his immediate departure overnight. This announcement comes as the country experiences an extremely tense period, following a surge of offensives by jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels.

“Today signifies the conclusion of my tenure as the head coach of Mali’s senior national team. It was a mission I undertook with immense pride and unwavering dedication, despite encountering challenging circumstances at times. The moment has now arrived for me to pursue a new professional endeavor,” Saintfiet stated in a message published on his Facebook account, dated April 27, 2026.

Tom Saintfiet’s impressive record: only two losses in 17 matches

“During these exceptionally trying times that Mali is enduring, my deepest sympathies are, naturally, with the Malian people and the entire nation. More than ever, I extend a message of compassion, solidarity, and unity. Football, above all, remains a sport and a powerful catalyst for bringing people together. I sincerely hope it will continue to embody the values of peace and hope for Mali,” added the coach, who had taken over from Éric Chelle at the helm of the Eagles.

Under Tom Saintfiet’s guidance, Mali, despite a challenging start in their World Cup qualifiers, remarkably suffered only two defeats across 17 fixtures. One of these losses occurred in the quarter-finals of the recent Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) against Senegal, a tight 1-0 encounter. “May peace, stability, and hope be lastingly restored to Mali. I wish Mali the very best of luck! Go Eagles!” concluded the 53-year-old coach. Prior to his Malian appointment, Saintfiet had been linked with the Ghana national team job before the Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz was ultimately chosen to lead the Black Stars. The Malian Football Federation, through its president Mahazou dit Baba Cissé, acknowledged Tom Saintfiet’s contributions and has initiated a search for his replacement.