Official: AmaZulu Announce New Coach

AmaZulu have announced former Real Madrid assistant Pablo Franco Martin as the club’s new head coach.

Martin, who previously had a stint in Africa with Simba SC in Tanzania was one of three coaches interviewed for the role with President Sandile Zungu last week.

Luc Eymeal and Alfons Groenendijk were the other candidates, while Gavin Hunt and Morena Ramoreboli were names also linked with the role.

While Hunt is said to have rebuffed their enquiries after an impressive return at SuperSport United, finishing third and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, Zungu was left impressed by the credentials and interview of the Spaniard during their online meeting.

On Tuesday, AmaZulu announced the arrival of Martin on a three-year deal.

“Following an intense two weeks after the announcement to appoint the new Head Coach of Usuthu, Club President Sandile Zungu has today roped in the services of Spaniard, Pablo Franco Martin on a 36-month long deal,” the club stated.

Martin will no doubt have his work cut for him with the club releasing 11 players and an entire management restructure with the club’s General Manager being released as well as a new Director of Football set to be appointed in the coming weeks.

Martin has experience on the African continent after coaching Simba SC between November 2021 and May 2022. Before that he worked at Al-Qadsia in Kuwait for two years, which followed a brief stint as assistant to Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid.

He also coached LaLiga side Getafe in 2015, and a stint with Georgian club FC Saburtalo Tbilisi.