Coach Sewnet speaks on sacking

Former Walia Ibex coach Sewnet Bishaw harbours no ill feelings against the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) who fired him on Wednesday.

Treated as a hero just a few months back as fans and federation acclaimed him, Sewnet suddenly turned from hero to villain after his side was eliminated from the 2014 Chan without a single win.

“I have to say the job of a coach is difficult and thankless as you are only loved when you are on top of things. But in life we have to accept different situations as they come and that is why the news of the sacking did not come as a surprise to me as I saw the mood change immediately I arrived back from South Africa where we participated in the Chan.”

“I gave my post tournament report and what I felt went wrong but I think the dice had already been cast and I was labelled a failure. I am not bitter because I know I gave my best and took the team to unchartered waters qualifying for the 2013 Afcon, 2014 Chan and going all the way to the World Cup 2014 play offs where we lost to African champions Nigeria.”

“All this success has been because of hard work from the technical bench and myself but that is a story for another day as the decision has been made and we have to move on with life.”

“As a coach there is a limit to everything and I believe I gave 100 percent that is where we were able to be a team to reckon with since I was reinstated to the head coach job in 2011. I thank the federation and wish all the players the best in their future assignments,” Sewnet Bishaw told supersport.com.

Prodded if he will be considering any coaching jobs in the local league or taking up offers from other African teams Bishaw was optimistic.

“Even though life has its ups and downs we have to move forward for now I want to take time with my family since they also need my time but I cannot rule out taking up any roles in the future because I will always be a coach but that will depend on the prevailing circumstances,” Sewnet added.

Bishaw has had a chequered career as coach of Ethiopia reaching the 2014 World Cup playoffs where they were eliminated by Nigeria. He also helped Walia qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa and the Chan 2014 tourney.

In his journey to the play offs, Ethiopia drew with South Africa 1-1 before beating them 2-1 at home in Addis ,they later beat Botswana both home and away but were docked points for fielding an inelligible player and despite the pressure Sewnet lead the team to beat Central Africa republlic 2-1 in Congo Brazzaville to qualify for the play offs where they were knocked out by Nigeria who beat them home and away.

He also achieved regional success winning the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in 2005 in his first stint as manager before being relieved off his duties.

Sewnet was later reinstated as coach of the ational team in October 2011, taking over from Belgian Tom Saintfiet.