US-based SA coach Bradley Carnell has spoken about the challenges faced by former Kaizer Chiefs star Njabulo Blom in Major League Soccer [MLS].
Blom struggled to get playing time after Carnell left St Louis City SC, where he played under him. Carnell parted ways with the MLS Western Conference outfit in July 2024 and was replaced by Olof Mellberg.
For the 48-year-old SA coach, this proved to be a turning point for Blom, as he was shipped out on loan to Kaizer Chiefs two months later.
Before that, Blom had a solid debut season with St Louis, making 30 appearances and helping them qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Blom himself has said injuries slowed him down in the MLS. But Carnell hinted to FARPost that the coaching changes at St Louis City SC affected Blom’s fortunes as he was earmarked for better strides.
After failing to regain his spot at St Louis City SC following his loan spell, which had an option for Chiefs to buy, the 26-year-old moved to Vietnamese champions Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, where he featured in the Asian Champions League. He plays in the same team with Percy Tau.
WHAT SA COACH BRADLEY CARNELL SAID
Carnell told FARPost: “Unfortunately, I was gone in July 2024. I think he didn’t get on with some of the coaches there, so he moved on. They loaned him out back to South Africa.
“I had a good working relationship with him. He created a good name for himself in the league here and did very well. Like for all of us, it didn’t go well – nothing peculiar. Obviously, the club was going in a different direction.
“I think there were changes in management or coaches because I left in July. Maybe when one South African goes, the other one needs to go too.
“Sometimes when you bring a person in, the next coach may think he’s still part of the old coach, and he didn’t get playing time. Maybe there was some misalignment of expectations or something. Then they loaned him back – but I think he wanted to go back.”
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