New AmaZulu coach Romain Folz says he’s confident he can get his contract renewed beyond this season after signing a short-term deal until the end of the season with his new club.
Folz was appointed by Usuthu on Sunday, replacing Brandon Truter, who parted ways with the club on Thursday last week after the loss to Richards Bay the day before.
Usuthu president Sandile Zungu sent a stern warning to Folz, saying he doesn’t care who the coach is and if results don’t go his way, heads will roll, adding that he sent 15 players packing during the off season when no one expected it.
However, Folz, who will work with Ayanda Dlamini as his assistant coach, says he can deal with that pressure.
“Yes, I’m confident I can do that [see my contract renewed],” Folz said when asked by iDiski Times after his unveiling.
“I know I can and I know I have the boys who can help me do that. I know myself as well. I know everything is in place for me to achieve.”
The new coach arrived at the training ground today to be introduced in front of the players outside Kings Park Stadium. He was given a nickname “Fohloza” and the No.90 shirt, which is the year AmaZulu are turning this year.
Another topic that has been heavily discussed is his age, with Folz being just 32 years old. Current AmaZulu players such as Lehlohonolo Majoro (36) and George Maluleka (33) are older than him and others are the same age, but Folz doesn’t see this as an issue.
This publication has also learnt that some experienced players at Usuthu were not happy with Truter, with one of them being pointed out as Majoro. Majoro, in the last game for Usuthu against Richards Bay, which proved to be the last match also for Truter on Wednesday last week, did not shake the coach’s hands, flicking it away showing his displeasure.
Folz, though, insisted his age was not an issue when he was coaching in France, Botswana and also Marumo Gallants, whom he left after a clash with the club’s management earlier in the season.
“I don’t see that as a problem and some might say me being younger gives me energy, more dynamism,” he said.
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“But at the end of the day, honestly, it is an irrelevant debate to have because it doesn’t make any difference.
“For the past 10 years, I never had any issues in that matter and I know it is going to be the same here.”
His first game in charge for Usuthu will be a DStv Premiership match against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Friday (19:30).
However, whether he will sit on the bench will depend if he has received his work permit on time to be in the dugout in that game.
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