Quinton Fortune lands new coaching job abroad

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Quinton Fortune has landed a new job as an assistant coach at Mexican side Guadalajara Chivas. 

The former Bafana Bafana international Quinton Fortune will assist newly appointed coach Veljko Paunovic.

He is one of three assistants alongside Claudio Arzeno and Nuno Miguel Gomes.

SMOOTH RUN

The Liga MX’s Chivas unveiled former Reading manager Veljko Paunovic on Monday night. They followed up that unveiling with the announcement of the South African’s role at the club.

Paunovic joins the club ahead of the 2023 Liga MX Clausura, replacing Roberto Cardea.

“We wish Veljko Paunovic every success with our team, hoping for a smooth run and results to come soon,” the club confirmed in a statement.

Prior to appointing the 45-year-old, the club said they were looking for a “young coach” who has worked in big leagues in Europe.

“He must be young, who knows, who has a mentality that has trained in the big leagues in Europe,” Hierro said of the search upon his appointment. 

“People are calm that we are trying to bring someone with a young profile who knows how to work with young people, who knows the area and the mentality of Mexican soccer and that he has trained in Europe.”

QUINTON FORTUNE’S ENVIABLE POST-PLAYING CAREER

Fortune has been working with the England Football Association since the start of the current season. This was after he was appointed to the England Elite Coach Programme.

The former Manchester United midfielder has had an enviable post-playing career, having served as Red Devils’ Under 23 assistant coach before holding a similar position at the Cardiff City Under 21s.

He went on to work as first-team coach at Championship side Reading. It has been five years since Guadalajara’s last Liga MX title, and that Clausura 2017 Finals appearance came 11 years after their previous championship.

At Cardiff, Fortune worked closely with former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His Reading stint also saw him work alongside another former team-mate John O’Shea.

He, however, left in February 2022 when Paul Ince was appointed manager. At Chivas, they face an insurmountable task of reviving the club’s fortunes. Their last Liga MX title came five years ago.