Why Franco Martin rejected SA teams before signing with AmaZulu FC

AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin has revealed that there were other offers for him from PSL teams before the Usuthu opportunity came.

The former Real Madrid assistant coach has joined AmaZulu on a 36-month-long deal.

He has been in charge of eight matches so far winning two, drawing four, and suffering two defeats. The 43-year-old says prior to his move to South Africa, there have been a few clubs that showed interest and even sent official offers.

But due to wrong timing, none of those cubs were successful in bringing him to the country.

PABLO FRANCO MARTIN ON PREVIOUS PSL OFFERS

“Some clubs approached me, the only thing I can say is that I listened to all of them,” he said. “If you don’t mind I am not going to say which clubs or how many,” said Franco Martin.

“I appreciate their phone calls, most of the time when they approached me I was working so I wanted to respect my former teams. When you are working, the first thing is your team, even if you have a better opportunity or a better team with better conditions approaching you, for me, it’s one of my values.

“I need to respect that it was not the right moment to move because I was in the middle of the season. Then when I was not working the timing was just not perfect before my wife was about to deliver and I felt that the project was not the one that was suitable for me,” explained Franco Martin, who also spent time at Tanzania giants Simba.

AMAZULU FC MENTOR WANTS LONG-TERM STAY

“What I can tell you is that I had this good feeling about South Africa and I really wanted to come here and work. But I was waiting for the right time and the right project and when AmaZulu gave me the opportunity I didn’t hesitate.

“What I can tell you is that I am comfortable working here in South Africa and I would love to be here for many years. I have a long-term project with AmaZulu and I would like to finish it. I am really excited about where we are hoping so far.”

Usuthu who are 10th in the DStv Premiership will only be back in action on 28 October when they travel to Chippa United.

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