Did Sai Baba ever say he would return after his Mahasamadhi?

Yes, he did. Devotees who were lamenting his departure remembered his promise. As Chapter 43 recounts, Maharaj had told his devotees before he left, "As an eight-year-old child, I will appear again." The text emphasizes that this is the word of a saint and should not be considered in vain, drawing a parallel to how the Wielder of the Discus, Krishna, appeared in the prison before Devaki. The purpose of this return is described as the salvation of poor devotees, giving them full confidence that he will return again.