After Firing Maher Kanzari, Espérance President Hamdi Meddeb Opting for Foreign Technician
Following the Match Against Petro Luanda
The Press — While still on the plane on his way back to Tunis, the decision to fire him was made on Sunday evening by the club's president, Hamdi Meddeb. A decision made after the defeat conceded earlier in the evening in Bamako against Stade Malien with a score of 0-1.
This defeat does not diminish the chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Champions League, given that a draw is enough for Espérance to secure its ticket, next Saturday against Petro Luanda, for the 6th and final day of the group stage.
Christophe Chaintreuil to Take Over as Interim Coach
The team will undergo a transition phase this week, as it will be entrusted to the technical director of the youth team, Christophe Chaintreuil, who will lead it for the match against Petro Luanda, assisted by Christian Bracconi. This duo will ensure the interim this week. The next coach? "A foreigner," an official source assures us, will be appointed in the coming days and will take over the team after Saturday's match.
Two Errors Accelerated Kanzari's Departure
According to rumors, Maher Kanzari had submitted his resignation twice. Lately, every match was announced as his last on social media. And indeed, Maher Kanzari was unlucky during his last two outings as head of the team. Two errors that hastened his departure. First, the missed penalty by Hamza Jelassi in stoppage time in Dar es Salem, which deprived the team of a victory and thus a historic comeback.
And as if that were not enough, Yassine Meriah lost the ball a week later in Bamako, a single error that cost the team dearly, leading to their defeat and signing Maher Kanzari's exit ticket. And indeed, the other defenders did not do their job either, leaving Béchir Ben Saïd alone in action, who managed to repel the ball only once.
Without these two fatal errors, Espérance would have been in a different position. In short, the errors of Jelassi and Meriah, as well as the constant and heavy pressure on social media, ultimately pushed Maher Kanzari towards the exit door. Him, who was no longer recognizable in his choices these last few weeks.
Now that the Kanzari Page has been Turned, it's Time to Evaluate the Players
Now that the Kanzari page has been turned, it's time to evaluate the performance of the players, one by one. Kanzari certainly has his share of responsibility, but the players do too. It's also time to give Elyas Bouzaiene and Mohamed Mouhli their full chances, or let them go. The new coach will have to make his changes and only keep the players useful for the end of the season.
