A distinguished coach with plenty of experience in football, the Tunisian Sami Trabelsi has won many titles.  He won the best coach award in his first year in Qatar Stars League 2013-2014. His career is one of envy for all Arab coaches.

As a player he was an excellent central defender. He started when he was only 12 years old in Sfax Railways Sports Club. He was fielded for the first time at the senior level in 1986/1987 season against Athlétique Bizertin Club.

In 1993 he joined Club Sportif Sfaxien and won his first league title in the 1994/1995 season, followed by the title of CAF Confederation Cup on 1998. Then he embraced a professional career with Qatar’s Al-Rayyan before returning to Club Sportif Sfaxien in Tunisia.

With regards to the Tunisian National Team, his first match was against Guinea-Bissau on 1994. Then in 1996 he went with his country to the Africa Cup of Nations where they played in the final against South Africa, but he was not eligible to participate in the final due to suspension (second yellow card).

He represented Les Aigles de Carthage in the Africa Cup of Nations on 1998 and 2000, also played in the FIFA World Cup 1998 in France. 

In August 2009, he was appointed the head coach of Tunisia National Olympic Team and in June 2010, he was appointed as assistant coach with Mr. Bertrand Marchand.

After the termination of the latter, he became the interim head coach. But after winning the title of Africa Cup of Nations in Sudan, the Tunisian FA appointed him as the official head coach of Tunisia in 2001.

Under his leadership the Tunisia National Team qualified to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and 2013. After which he resigned from the national team to become the head coach of Al Sailiya Club and subsequently led the Peregrines to finish in the top four of the Qatar Stars League as well earn them a place in the Emir Cup final match against Al-Sadd.

QSL Online met with the Tunisian tactician at Al-Sailiya’s training grounds and asked him a few questions about his club.

The team’s results at the beginning of this season have been worrying, what is the reason? Is it to do with the formation or is it due to the changing of the foreign players at the end of last season or is it the players’ inability to gel with the team? Or due to another reasons?
All of these reasons have helped to produce our teams suffering. The lack of positive results during the start of the season hasn’t helped the team feel confident.

Unlike the targets that we have set for the team, in addition I think there is another reason. Everyone expected us to do the same as last season but we have changed many players so we are not the same time as before.

The absence of some players and the changing of our three foreign players has meant that it has taken more time to create harmony between the players, the reduction defensive errors and also to increase the level of our focus.

However, according to Prozone, I can assure you that our team is playing excellent football and we are good enough to develop and reach our top level in the coming matches.

After the completion of the league’s first phase, each head coach evaluates the status of his team in general, in particular the foreign players’ performance. Does this apply to your foreign players as well?
Yes, we aim at signing some foreign players in a way that serves the team’s best interests and philosophy. Each foreign player should be an asset to the team in a way that supersedes the level of the local players; otherwise he will be replaced with another more effective foreign player.



Your team gained 11 points from 10 matches (three wins, five defeats and two draws). Your team conceded 22 goals (the second weakest defence after Al-Shahania) and scored 16 goals (7th best offense). Does this spell out the problems for the Peregrines for the rest of the season or is there sufficient time to rectify it?

Honestly we have already evaluated the team in the first four weeks and we identified the defects, in particular our defence. However there are times when it’s difficult to try and adjust the formation or style as this might make things even worse.

There is a point I would like to clarify, the team consists mostly of young players who are playing for the first time. In addition to some players recruited from regular military units who have so far provided good levels despite the lack of competitive experience in the league. As time passes, our team is improving gradually and hopefully this will be reflected in the results.

After 10 weeks the league stopped due to the 22nd GCC Cup, do you think that such stoppage will affect some teams progression as well as the players’ fitness, or is it an opportunity for correction?
It will be a negative factor on the teams that did not take advantage of the opportunity to work seriously to correct the errors and overcome defects both defensively and offensively.

But the difference lies in the teams that will benefit from such stoppage such as our team, with a positive improvement in the technical ability and the physical fitness level improving through friendly matches. I am hoping for a strong comeback to satisfy our ambition and aspirations.

How do you see the competition this season? And who do you expect to win the title?
I believe that the competition won’t be limited to specific teams after the strong return of Al-Arabi, Al-Gharafa and Umm Salal who all demonstrate strong performances. It still very early to nominate a team, although Al-Sadd is clearly dominant.  Also some other factors will have their impact such as stoppages, injuries and absences in determining the champion this year.

How is the atmosphere inside the club, especially after the recent two victories over Al-Wakrah and Al-Shahania?
We always tend to have balanced emotions when winning or losing, simply because these matches are continuous lessons that help in improving the team’s performance, which is more important for us in the long run.

Who are the players you wished to have in your team; either foreign or local?
I wish to have lots of them in our team as there are lots of distinguished local players in the Qatar Stars League with high skill levels and talents, but without mentioning names. As for the professional players, honestly I wish to sign Al-Sadd player Nadir Belhadj who demonstrates a high level of performance every time he is on the field and is a huge asset to his team.

Al Sailiya surprised everyone last season and reached Emir Cup final against Al-Sadd as well as finished as one of Qatar Stars League’s top four teams. Is it unlikely to repeat this achievement this season?
Nothing is ruled out in football despite the start that I consider to have been very tough, but our chances remain good like so many other clubs, and I hope we end up having a real breakthrough for in the coming weeks.

Last season you were chosen as the best head coach of the league and received praise from all the clubs, the Qatari fans and the Qatari media, what do you think about this great moment?
It’s an honour for me to be crowned with this title in my first season in the Qatar Stars. A title I cherish very much and helps motivate me to work harder and be more diligent. This award was also for the whole club, because success cannot be achieved without the good work of the three parties; officials, players and the technical staff ... Perhaps the discipline and mutual respect between all these parties within Al Sailiya Club was the main reason for the good season. .. Congratulations to Al Sailiya’s administration on the good governance and management of the club.

How do you assess the quality of the Arab head coaches in Qatar Stars League?
Very high, the evidence can be seen in Al Sadd with head coach Hussein Ammouta, he is at the top of the rankings, he is a very distinguished coach and won the league title in his first season. He has also won the Emir Cup and Sheikh Jassim Cup. In addition to other distinguished coaches who gained many titles and helped shape the Qatari football map.

What are the chances of the Tunisia National Team in the Africa Cup of Nations?
In the meantime, it is difficult, but if this generation’s players are looked after and preserved for the future with a comprehensive system in one direction, then they can win the title. The issue in Tunisia lies in the fact that we have a smaller pool of players to choose from compared to our neighbouring countries such as Algeria and Morocco.
 
What are the chances of Qatar National Team in the 22nd GCC Cup?
The Qatar National Team has all the components to win the title. That was clearly evident in the match against Saudi Arabia.  The Maroons had the upper hand on the pitch, and I hope that the Qatari fans support their team and motivate them to achieve victories and titles now and in the future.

What is your opinion about FIFA World 2022 Qatar?
According to what I have seen here in the State of Qatar from a logistical side, human side and administrative side, as well as the professional mentality, I am sure that Qatar will impress the world with its organization and hospitality.

Qatar will be an example and a role model for other countries. Perhaps Qatar’s rapid pace will certainly raise the roof of expectations for the World Cup.