Belgian coach Saintfiet linked to Black Stars job

Belgian Tom Saintfiet, has expressed interest in the vacant Black Stars head coach position.

The 39-year old with almost 16-years of coaching experience across the world, has expressed a strong desire to replace Serbian Goran Stevanovic, who parted ways with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) early this week.

The Belgian who is also linked to the Technical Director position of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) tells GNA Sports “it is always great to be associated with great countries in football. I am flattered and I cannot pretend not to be interested”.

Despite being interviewed by the NFF last week, Saintfiet has not ruled out taking over the vacant position in Ghana, as the GFA intends to embark on a head-hunting mission.

“I have had advanced talks with the Nigeria Football Federation about the Technical Director’s position. This has been ongoing for many months now, and I believe we are close to a conclusion. However, nothing has been officially signed yet and therefore, I am still technically, a free agent.”

The former Namibia coach, reiterated his passion for African football and that he has what it takes to guide the Black Stars to the top if given the mandate.

Saintifiet has been coaching since 1997 after a brief playing career that saw him feature for KVC Westerlo and KFC Lommel amongst others in his native Belgium.

Aside stints with Al-Gharafa Sports Club (Qatar), BV Cloppenburg (Germany), Rovaniemen Palloseura (Finland) and FC Enmem (Netherlands), he has also handled national sides including the Qatar national U-17 team (2004), Namibia (2008-2010), Zimbabwe (2010) and Ethiopia (2011).

Since the departure of Stevanovic, the likes of Ghana's Abedi Pele, Ghanaian-born former French international player, Marcel Desailly and Carlos Dunga of Brazil have been linked to the vacant position.

Meanwhile, the GFA is yet to agree with Stevanovic on his compensation package.**