The Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) is on the cusp of revealing the new head coach for the national team, according to the EFF’s secretary general. With crucial regional and international battles looming, the Walias are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a fresh start to steer their expedition.
Following the departure of Coach Webetu Abate, who had served the Walias for over two years, the EFF appointed an interim coach to lead the national squad.
However, as the Federation sought a permanent solution, rumors began to circulate that Gebremedhin Haile, the coach of Ethiopian Insurance Football Club, was a leading candidate.
Report indicate that discussions between the Federation and Coach Gebremedhin have been underway, with the aim of preparing the Walias for the upcoming World Cup qualifying match, set to commence next month. Gebremedhin’s recent accomplishments is with Ethiopian Insurance, a team that achieved promotion to the Premier League this year.
Nevertheless, negotiations have encountered a minor hurdle as both the Federation and Ethiopian Insurance, along with the Coach, have engaged in talks.
It appears that the club is hesitant to release their coach until his contract reaches its natural conclusion.
In light of this, the EFF has been diligently working towards an agreement that would see Gebremedhin take charge of the national team while continuing his role with the club.
The secretary general of the EFF confirmed that the official announcement of the national team coach can be expected within the coming week.
Gebremedhin, an esteemed figure in Ethiopian football, previously served as the coach of the Ethiopian Defense Forces until July 2016, when his contract concluded.
During his tenure, the team achieved remarkable success, securing two out of three Ethiopia Cup championships.
Subsequently, he embarked on managerial roles at Jimma Aba Bunna in January 2017, followed by a stint at Mekelle City, before taking the reins at Sidama Coffee in 2021.
Having previously stepped in as interim coach in 2016 following the dismissal of Yohannes Sahle, Gebremedhin guided the team to a triumphant 2-1 victory over Lesotho before his final match as head coach against Seychelles.
Despite his early departure from the national team in 2016, he left an indelible mark and was succeeded by Ashenafi Bekele.
Beyond his coaching acumen, Gebremedhin’s remarkable football skills and scoring prowess have garnered widespread acclaim, both domestically and internationally. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s historic triumph at the 1987 CECAFA tournament held in Addis Ababa, ending the nation’s prolonged drought without a continental victory.
As Ethiopian football enthusiasts eagerly await the official announcement, hopes are high that the new national team coach will inspire the Walias to go further than before.
