Here we go again! Rwanda’s football governing body, FERWAFA, is once again in the process of hiring a new head coach after the departure of German tactician Torsten Frank Spittler. The news of Spittler’s exit has sent ripples through the Rwandan football scene, especially after the team made significant strides under his guidance. ALSO READ: Spittler’s departure: How Amavubi may be affected With Spittler’s contract expiring in November 2024, it was a matter of time before a new coach would be appointed. However, the question remains: Why does Rwanda consistently find itself in this revolving door of coaching changes? Since 1998, Rwanda has had a staggering 24 (yes, you heard right, 24) coaches, including eight on an interim basis. It's a ridiculous turnover to say the least. Despite various efforts to stabilize the team’s technical leadership, Amavubi has experienced an almost constant change at the helm. Of the 16 permanent coaches, only two served beyond two years, while most lasted less than two years in the role. This pattern has raised concerns about the sustainability of Rwanda’s football development and its impact on the team’s progress on the international stage. Spittler’s departure is a clear indication of the challenges that arise when coaching appointments are not made with long-term planning in mind. In just one year, Spittler managed to turn around Amavubi’s fortunes. After a period of over two years without a competitive win, Spittler took charge in November 2023 and quickly led the team to impressive victories against South Africa and Lesotho in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as well as Nigeria in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Under his stewardship, the team’s confidence and performances improved significantly, making Rwanda a team to watch in their World Cup qualification group that also has Nigeria, Benin and Zimbabwe. ALSO READ: Players abroad: Muhire bags hat-trick, Mugisha earns point for Stade Tunisien Despite these successes, Spittler was unable to secure a contract extension beyond the initial one year that he penned, leaving many to question the logic behind his premature exit. The question arises: Is the problem with the coaches themselves, the players, or the football federation's handling of the national team? While it is easy to point fingers at coaches, the repeated sacking of them suggests that the root cause might lie deeper within the structure of Rwandan football. One crucial factor is the lack of continuity, which plays a significant role in the development of both players and teams. Successful teams around the world tend to have a stable technical staff that is given time to implement their vision and philosophy. Constantly changing coaches disrupts this process and makes it difficult for players to adapt to different playing styles and tactical approaches. It also hinders the long-term growth of the team, as the bond between coach and players is severed before it can fully flourish. The case of Spittler is a perfect example of this. The German coach was able to improve Amavubi significantly, not only in terms of results but also in terms of player development. That much we could all see, even without being on the inside. Under his guidance, several players, and without mentioning names, flourished, with many of them citing his tactical awareness and leadership as key factors in their improvement. However, instead of building on this progress, the team is once again left in limbo, searching for a new coach who will need time to assess the players and develop his own style. ALSO READ: Nshuti joins Azerbaijani side Zira FK on two-year deal This constant chopping of coaching staff sends a negative message to potential candidates. Why would a top-tier coach, capable of bringing real success to the national team, want to risk his reputation by taking charge of a team that has a history of firing coaches at the slightest sign of difficulty? It’s a gamble that most high-profile coaches are unlikely to take, meaning FERWAFA might have to settle for a less experienced or less accomplished candidate, further hampering the team’s potential for success. You heard it first here. Moreover, frequent coaching changes also create instability within the squad. The lack of a cohesive long-term strategy leads to confusion and inconsistency in the players’ performances. Amavubi’s recent success, under Spittler, was due in part to the fact that the coach had managed to instil a sense of belief and unity among the players. This sense of cohesion will be tested with the arrival of a new coach, especially if they are expected to start from scratch and implement new tactics and philosophy. For Rwanda to break free from this cycle, FERWAFA must prioritize stability and long-term planning when selecting their next coach. The federation needs to identify a candidate who not only has the right credentials and experience but is also willing to invest time in building a sustainable system for the team. This coach must be someone who understands the importance of continuity and can develop a squad that is capable of competing at the highest level. Anything short of that, and we are back to square one once again after another year. Rwanda stands at a crossroads. The departure of Spittler is a setback, but it also provides an opportunity for FERWAFA to rethink its approach to hiring and firing coaches. The focus should be on building a stable and progressive environment for the team, where long-term growth and success take precedence over short-term results. By doing so, Rwanda may finally be able to break free from the cycle of coach turnover and realize its potential on the international stage before the head coach job becomes a poisoned chalice.
