How TS Galaxy coach Ramovic earned his new deal

That coach Sead Ramovic earned a contract extension at TS Galaxy is not surprising to those who have followed the German tactician closely since his low-key arrival in South Africa last year.

Those who have followed the German say his training methods and football philosophy have not only improved the team structurally but also individual players have thrived.

Sources close to the team say such factors swayed management into extending Ramovic’s contract last Tuesday—just in the nick of time ahead of the 2022/22 DStv Premiership season kick-off.

“TS Galaxy Football Club has rewarded Sead Ramovic after saving the club from relegation. Ramovic took over the coaching reins from Owen Da Gama in the previous season. When he took over, the Rockets were deep in the throes of relegation,” the club’s statement read last week.

The new deal was a perfect and timely reward for the Stuttgart-born mentor who took over the reins last October from Da Gama, who was relieved of his duties due to the club’s poor start to the campaign.

The former Wolfsburg goalkeeper found the Rockets languishing at the bottom of the DStv Premiership log table last season.

The 42-year-old, who came to South Africa as a little-known coach, managed to turn the corner for the Tim Sukazi-owned team, as they retained their top-flight league status.

A source close to the club says Ramovic is so demanding of his players, yet also grants them the licence to play to their strengths with freedom as long as they apply themselves 100 percent.

“He is a very demanding coach. For example, last season he asked players such as Ethan Brooks why he didn’t have assists to his game as an attacking midfielder and that could be probably the reason Brooks left,” the source tells FARPost.

Striking a healthy delicate balance between hard-work and being adventurous is Ramovic’s strength in his coaching methods, another source observed.

“You can see with the drills that the players are enjoying it. The coach is focused on tactics and the players are forever improving, especially in terms of keeping the ball. I think that is the structure he brought to TS Galaxy set-up in terms of playing freely and allowing players to also express themselves,” he said.

The source added that TS Galaxy players such as defender Given Msimango have improved under the tenure of Ramovic owing to his training methods.

“Players such as Given Msimango are among those who have improved immensely under the current coach,” the source added.

“I mean Given, under Owen Da Gama, was not comfortable with the ball at his feet, but now he is one of the best ball-playing defenders in the league. Even during a high press, he didn’t panic yet not too long ago, he was more like an old-school defender who just played just long balls.”

The coach’s fortunes for the Mpumalanga-based side have improved and this is reflected in the way his team is playing an exciting brand of football.

TS Galaxy finished 13th on the 16-member log table last season with 30 points. Surely, the team promises to fly like typical Rockets when they get their new season underway with a home meeting against AmaZulu on August 7.

Afterall, TS Galaxy have bolstered their squad with new signings such as goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak and defender Igor Makitan (Bosnia Herzegovina), left-back Zolani Nkombelo (from Golden Arrows), Xolani Slawula and Sinethemba Mngomezulu (ex-Uthongathi), Mohammed Anas (ex-Black Leopards), Marate Ndieguene (formerly of Highlands Park) whereas Augustine Kwem joined from Chippa United.

RELATED STORY: Given Msimango: The ‘number 10’ trapped in a defender’s body

Please follow and like us: