Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained his decision to appoint Romain Folz as his assistant coach.
Mngqithi assumed the role of head coach following Rulani Mokwena's departure. Sundowns also reappointed Steve Komphela as senior coach while Wendell Robinson remains both goalkeeper coach and assistant coach.
Folz unexpectedly completed Mngqithi’s technical team, joining the team while in the pre-season camp in Austria.
The French-Moroccan coach had previously endured short and unsuccessful stints at AmaZulu and Marumo Gallants, both lasting less than six months.
Mngqithi insisted that he has brought on a capable assistant coach. He defended the 32-year-old, arguing that his previous dismissals by AmaZulu and Marumo Gallants should not be used to unfairly judge him.
Prior to joining Sundowns, Folz was a performance manager at FIFA having been recommended by former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger. That on its own gives Mngqithi confidence about the former Horoya mentor.
WHY MANQOBA MNGQITHI BROUGHT ROMAIN FOLZ AT SUNDOWNS?
“To be honest with you, it’s just a shame in our country because when you didn’t do well with a team, sometimes you did well, but when the team decides to let you go, people make their own judgments,” said Mngqithi on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“If you look at what Fohloza did at Marumo, the players he brought there. He brought [Junior] Dion who’s at AmaZulu, top player, he brought Toure, now at Stellenbosch, top player. He brought Lesiba Nku, who’s doing well with us at Sundowns.
“Just go back and look at the matches during his time at Marumo, then you will realise the quality and the ability of this young man.
“I was fortunate; I even invited him to Joburg when he was working for AmaZulu because I wanted to know what he had in his mind and get to understand his ability.
“What I can tell you is that I’ve brought a very good coach next to me and even the ones that are talking negatively, one day they will understand that I don’t bring people because they are my own cousins or my uncles or what what.
“I know what I want from Romain and already he’s beginning to give that. The perspective from players has changed completely because they also listen to these voices that are misleading them.
“If this boy can be recommended by Arsene Wenger, then he’s good enough because Arsene is not a pushover,” he continued.
“He was brought to FIFA by Arsene Wenger but I kept contact because I knew my next job I was going to work with him. I trust his ability and demeanour.”
