Off-field factors affecting coach Folz and Marumo Gallants’ performances?

Coach Romain Folz might have given a hint that all is not well within the Marumo Gallants camp if his post-match comments on Saturday are anything to go by.

Gallants played to an entertaining 1-1 DStv Premiership draw against Golden Arrows at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The home side found the back of the net through Celimpilo Ngema in the 55th minute while the visitors found the equaliser through Velemseni Ndwandwe in the 71st minute. It was the first goal of the season for both clubs.

FARPost has it on good authority that the Frenchman is already out of favour with some of the decision-makers at the club due to the fact that he stands his ground.

The 32-year-old, who is only on his third match in charge, has admitted that there are external factors off the field which could be hindering the team’s progress.

“Yes, there are external factors but it’s everywhere. It’s not just here and you have to comply with it and make the most out of it,” Folz told journalists after the match while admitting that it’s part of the job.

In October last year, current Cameroon national team assistant coach Sebastian Migne was fired after a heated altercation with one of the senior team members over how the team operates. He was charged with insubordination and abusive language.

Folz could not divulge what are the external factors he is referring to.

“If it was all easy and all positive everywhere I don’t think (coaching) would be challenging as a job. So, it is part of the job to face challenges that you have. Every coach has his challenges, I have mine but the role of the coach is to go through and try to go through and try to get the most out of everything and everyone,” he said.

“It’s not just here, it’s every club. You have to compose with the environment, especially when you have just arrived and you are experiencing a new country and everything, you always have things that you need to adapt to.

“But you don’t find excuses. At the end of the day, it is 11v11 on the field. You try to find the best strategy, try to prepare the guys the best way possible,” added the Frenchman who was announced as the new coach for Marumo less than two months ago.

Marumo are set to travel to KZN next where they will face their former coach Dan Malesela who is at Royal AM.