Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has opened up about his deep admiration for Ghana and his genuine desire to lead the Black Stars, insisting that his interest was never driven by financial motives.

Saintfiet, who was in contention to replace Chris Hughton before Otto Addo’s reappointment in March 2024, revealed that he held a marathon four-hour discussion with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) during the selection process.

“I wanted to coach the Black Stars, not for money, but to help Ghana achieve success in international competitions,” Saintfiet told Sportsblog247.com.

The veteran tactician, who guided The Gambia to consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearances, admitted that though he wasn’t chosen, he holds no bitterness. Instead, he commended Otto Addo’s leadership and even hinted at the possibility of working alongside him in the future.

“I would be glad to work with Otto Addo in the Black Stars’ coaching setup,” he affirmed.

Ironically, the two men found themselves on opposite dugouts earlier this year during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Otto Addo’s Ghana edged Saintfiet’s Mali 1-0 in Accra — a result that left Mali fighting to stay alive in the race for qualification.

Saintfiet’s words paint the picture of a coach driven not by contracts or paychecks, but by passion and a belief in the rich football heritage of Ghana.