St. Louis City SC Sporting Director, Lutz Pfannenstiel – the only pro footballer who played six continents – has opened up on his side’s signing of Njabulo Blom and the negotiations with Kaizer Chiefs.
Pfannenstiel, who himself had a brief stint with Orlando Pirates in 1996/97, already did business with Chiefs when he helped to bring Knowledge Musona from Naturena to Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.
He is now in charge of the sporting project at new Major League Soccer side St. Louis City, and revealed how much he admired Njabulo Blom before bringing the midfielder to the United States.
“We were looking for that very aggressive, central defensive midfielder, like a ball-winner who likes to defend forward, a guy with a good mentality, a lot of fighting spirit,” he told iDiski Times in an exclusive interview in edition 89.
“And I was looking a lot in Europe. I was looking literally all over the world and I could not find that guy or any better guy than Blom.
“So Blom was our first choice. I mean he had an expiring contract with Chiefs, so we did not really approach them that early because we did not know what the situation was.
“But from all the scouting and all the games I’ve watched, and I’ve watched lots, and lots, and lots of games of him, he was for us the best fit, the perfect fit in this position.”
Pfannenstiel then went on to share some details of the negotiations with Chiefs, saying the club made it easy for their midfielder to move stateside.
“And when I started to make contact with Kaizer Jr, and also with Bobby, to have a chat about that and then things, to be honest, happened pretty quick,” he added.
“I think everybody involved knew that with six months left on the contract, and having an opportunity to go overseas, I think Chiefs were really good to deal with.
“I think they did not want to make it difficult, especially for the player. And I think he will be a big ambassador for South African football, for Bafana Bafana, but especially for Chiefs in the MLS and United States.
“And looking at the past of Kaizer Senior, who has still legendary status over here in the United States, being very well known. I think it was all those things put in consideration to make that deal pretty smooth.”
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Story by David Kappe (@kappilinho).
You can read the full interview with Pfannenstiel, where he also talks about his stint with Pirates, his high praise for South African coach Bradley Carnell, whom he handpicked for the coaching job despite applicants from Europe – current and former coaches of UEFA Champions League clubs – as well as his own playing career for free on our website.
Edition 89 – Pfannenstiel & Stash
