Espérance Sportive de Tunis has finalized the appointment of Spanish coach Pablo Franco as the new head coach of the first football team. The announcement was made on October 3, 2026, after all formalities were completed. Franco will lead his first training session on the same day. He takes over from Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, who managed the team for only four matches, achieving three wins and one loss, with seven goals scored and six conceded.
Franco had signed his contract electronically on September 29, but his arrival in Tunis was delayed due to personal matters in Spain. This caused concern among some fans, who were worried about the lost preparation time. Despite this, Franco kept in touch with the team and staff, and watched the team's friendly matches via video. His coaching team includes Itor Van den Broeli as his main assistant and Majdi Traoui as the second assistant.
Born in Madrid on June 11, 1980, Pablo Franco is 46 years old and holds a UEFA Pro license. He is known for his offensive playing style, often using a 4-3-3 formation, focused on controlling the game. Franco began his coaching career as an assistant at Coria CF in 2008 and later became a head coach in Spain, managing teams such as Santa Eugenia, Illescas, and Puertollano.
Franco's coaching experience also includes stints at Getafe B and as interim coach of Getafe's first team in 2015. He worked as an assistant to Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid, gaining high-level European experience. Franco's career then shifted to Africa and the Arab world, with roles at Simba SC in Tanzania, AmaZulu in South Africa, and Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia.
Franco's most significant achievement was leading Maghreb de Fès to the Moroccan championship title in 2025-2026, their first in 41 years. The team finished the season unbeaten for long stretches, and Franco was named Coach of the Season in Botola Pro before leaving Fès in July 2026. He now faces the challenge of implementing his ideas quickly, as Espérance prepares for the next African Champions League preliminary round against Libya's Al-Sweihli.
The team's preparation is crucial, given the upcoming matches. Franco will need to work closely with his coaching team and the players to ensure a smooth transition and achieve success. His experience and reputation as a coach will be essential in guiding the team through the challenges ahead.
With his appointment, Franco becomes the latest in a series of coaches to take charge of Espérance de Tunis. The team's fans will be eager to see the impact of his leadership and tactics on the team's performance. As the new coach, Franco will be under pressure to deliver results and meet the expectations of the team's supporters.
Key points
- Pablo Franco's experience in African and Arab football will be valuable in his new role at Espérance de Tunis.
- Franco's coaching team includes Itor Van den Broeli and Majdi Traoui as his main and second assistants.
- Espérance de Tunis will face Al-Sweihli in the next African Champions League preliminary round.
