By OkayGoal 
Belgian tactician Tom Saintfiet has officially stepped down as head coach of the Mali national team, bringing an end to his two-year tenure in charge.
The 53-year-old confirmed his decision on Wednesday through a message on Instagram, as he expressed gratitude to everyone involved during his time with the team.
“I would like to thank my players, staff, the FEMAFOOT, the government, the media and, naturally, the fans for the fantastic two years we had together in Mali,” Saintfiet said.
During his time with Mali, Saintfiet oversaw a solid run of results. In the 17 competitive matches the Eagles played during his spell, they only suffered two defeats. Across all competitions, including friendlies, he recorded 9 wins, 8 draws, and 3 losses.
One of the highlights of his tenure came at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, where he guided Mali to the quarter-finals.
Before taking charge of Mali, Saintfiet managed the Gambia national team from 2018 to 2024, where he earned praise for his work in developing the side.
For a coach who has publicly expressed his desire to coach the Black Stars, he could be in the conversation again after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when the Ghana FA will have to decide on who permanently takes charge of the side.