Augsburg coach Jess Thorup has heaped praise on Mamelodi Sundowns sporting director Flemming Berg and South African international Gift Links.
The Mamelodi Sundowns Sporting Director arrived at Chloorkop in 2022 to replace Barcelona legend Jose Ramon Alexanko. Both Thorup and Flemming Berg are from Denmark. They worked together at the Danish Football Association, where the former was an Under 21 coach, and the latter was Head of Elite Football Development.
WHAT THORUP SAID ABOUT THE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS SPORTING DIRECTOR
Moreso, Berg boasts a CV that includes seven years as Chelsea‘s chief scout in Portugal. As such, his compatriot believes he is a stand-out performer in his role.
Berg has been credited for Sundowns’ exploits in luring South Americans to South Africa as they also maintain their stranglehold of the DStv Premiership.
“I know him well, I worked with him at a time when I was Under 21 national team coach. He worked in the federation at that time, so we had a close connection.
“He is not only a great guy but he is a clever person, he can see football. I see him, he is strong in developing players.
“So I think it’s a great opportunity for South Africa to have a guy like this joining a club. As far as I can see, he is doing a great job.
“Yes, I have followed him, Flemming is one of the exciting guys to follow, especially when they decide to go to another side of the world to see if they can excel.
“He did a great job in Denmark that is why he got a chance to go on with development elsewhere,” Thorup said.
THORUP IMPRESSED BY GIFT LINKS’ RISE IN DANISH FOOTBALL
Further, Thorup gave a glittering appraisal of one of South Africa’s finest prospects, Gift Links. Links plays as a left wingback for Danish Superliga club Aarhus GF.
“Gift had an amazing development over the last year. I first saw him playing as a small guy, dribbling and covering but we didn’t believe in him, he was a skinny guy.
“But he has developed to be a great player in the league and for South African people to see an opportunity in Europe and getting it, is great,” he said.
Augsburg are currently camped in South Africa for their pre-season preparations where they will play friendlies. They beat Young Africans of Tanzania 2-0 in the Mpumalanga Premier’s International on Saturday. Augsburg will play TS Galaxy next Saturday.
RELATED STORY: Gift Links reaches major milestone for Danish side
