‘If he can be recommended by Arsene Wenger then…’: Mngqithi on Folz
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has elaborated on his choice to incorporate former AmaZulu FC mentor Romain Folz into his technical staff as an assistant coach.
The abilities of the French-Moroccan coach were questioned following his unsatisfactory tenures at both Usuthu and Marumo Gallants.
During his time with Gallants, he managed the team in six matches, coming out with five draws and one loss. At AmaZulu, he oversaw 19 games, securing four victories, nine draws, and six defeats. He went on to take charge of Horoya SC in Guinea, where his tenure lasted only three months before he was dismissed.
His latest position was as a Performance Manager at FIFA, a role for which he was recommended by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Despite the unfavourable outcomes, Mngqithi maintained that ‘Fohloza’ performed well at Gallants, bringing in quality players. He asserted that he has integrated the right individual into his team and that there is much more the 34-year-old can offer.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI ON WHY HE BROUGHT FOLZ
“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.”
Mngqithi added that Folz’s endorsement by Wenger suggests he’s good enough.
MNGQITHI ON FOLZ – ‘HE WAS BROUGHT TO FIFA BY ARSENE WENGER’
“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.”
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