Tunisian club Esperance have appointed French coach Patrice Beaumelle as their new head coach on a contract running until June 2027.

The 47-year-old replaces Maher Kanzari, who was dismissed earlier this month following a run of disappointing results, including a 1-0 defeat to Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League group stage.

The announcement comes just weeks before Esperance face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier club competition, setting up a high-profile continental test as Beaumelle begins his tenure.

In a statement, Esperance said: “Espérance Sportive de Tunis has completed all the procedures for contracting with French coach Patrice Beaumelle and his accompanying technical staff until June 2027. The full technical staff will be presented later.”

Beaumelle arrives in Tunis after parting ways with the Angolan Football Federation, where he had been in charge of the national team.

His spell with Angola ended following their exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the side recording one win, four draws and two defeats in his final seven matches.

Beaumelle brings considerable continental experience. He was part of Hervé Renard’s technical team when Zambia won the 2012 AFCON, and again when Cote d’Ivoire lifted the title in 2015.

He later took charge of the Ivorian national team, leading them through qualification and into the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

At club level, Beaumelle enjoyed notable success in Algeria with MC Alger. He guided the club to the Algerian league title in the 2023/24 season and reached the Algerian Cup final in the same campaign.

In his first season, he secured a third-place league finish before departing in December 2024. He has also had a spell in Qatar with Umm Salal.

Beaumelle’s first major assignment will be the two-legged quarter-final against Al Ahly, record 12-time African champions.

The first leg is scheduled to take place in Tunisia, with the return match in Cairo a week later.