Saido Berahino retires from English football to coach Burundi
The former West Bromwich Albion striker returns to his birth nation to train the national team, the Intamba Mu Rugamba.
Saido Berahino has announced his retirement from professional football in England, concluding a career that began in the streets of Bujumbura. He expressed deep gratitude to West Bromwich Albion, stating that football has given him everything, from his early days as a refugee to playing in the Premier League. Berahino reflected on the highs and lows of his career, acknowledging the harsh lessons learned at the highest level of the sport.
The decision to hang up his boots comes not from weariness but from a sense of accomplishment, as Berahino prepares for a new chapter. He declared that football has remained his constant pillar throughout his life. His return to Burundi signifies a desire to give back to the nation where his journey began.
Berahino will now serve the Burundian national team, the Intamba Mu Rugamba, not as a distant figurehead but as an active coach on the field. This move marks a full circle for the player, transitioning from a refugee child to a coach for his home country's team.
Why it mattersBurundian football fans and aspiring players will be affected as Saido Berahino returns to coach the national team.