Esperance de Sportive Tunis head coach Patrice Beaumelle admits he left the Angola national team job for Esperance Sportive de Tunis due to a major change in African football.
It’s arguable, the Angola national team job would have offered more security for his long-term future, having had the luxury of a long-term contract and the mandate to build towards the 2030 FIFA World Cup and upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 and 2028.
However, he made the bold move to return to North Africa with Esperance, notorious for their scatter-gun approach to their technical team with 16 coaching changes in the last decade.
“What made me take this decision? You know when CAF said there’s no CHAN anymore? My aim was to live in Angola – I was living in Angola to develop the local football, to develop the local players, the players from Angola, playing in Angola,” he said.
“And I need to be on the field everyday, it’s in my blood, and I feel bored to just wait for the FIFA dates – so I really wanted to develop the local football, so when were aware about this decision, for me – I was very sad for Africa, very sad for African football.
“Africa is like, football is like gold and there’s talent everywhere, so I was sad and looking to myself and saying ‘wow’ – now I’m working 50% of what I’m supposed to do. So when I had this proposal for me? I was so proud to reach Esperance Sportive de Tunis.”
Making the move to Taraji, one of the most decorated clubs in world football was an opportunity too good to refuse for the Frenchman, as he returned to club football – having previously won the Algerian Ligie 1 with MC Alger.
“To have the possibility to be with such a team, you’re saying they are in transition but we’re in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, so if it’s a team in transition, it means a lot, it means they have a lot of potential and yeah I spoke to the President of the Angolan FA, he’s like my father, I know him for 15 years,” he explained.
“I just spoke with my heart, saying that this decision killed me job, I still have a fantastic relationship with Angola – I wish them all the best with their new coach, but today I’m very proud to be with Esperance, to face you today in the semi-finals of the Champions League and we’re still alive.”
