By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns have added Romain Folz to their technical team as assistant coach to Manqoba Mngqithi.
The 34-year-old Frenchman returns to the Premier Soccer League after some unsuccessful stints at Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu.
The Brazilians now have a refreshed technical team following the sacking of Rhulani Mokwena two weeks ago.
The reshuffle also saw the departure of strength and conditioning coach Sibusiso Mahlangu as well as performance analysts Sibusiso Makitla, Mario Masha and Dayle Solomons.
Michael Loftman who was an assistant to Mokwena has taken a sabbatical from football, leaving the Brazilians needing to beef up their backroom staff.
But they have turned to Folz who has an uninspiring record working in the PSL.
He lasted six winless games as Gallants coach between August and September 2022, managing five draws and a defeat.
His stint at Usuthu was for 19 matches where he posted four victories, nine draws and six losses.
But Mngqithi remains an admirer of the youthful coach who lasted just two games at Horoya after leaving AmaZulu.
“I must be honest there was a coach [Folz] that was employed by Marumo Gallants,” Mngqithi told the media when Folz was sacked by Gallants.
“I thought he was bringing something to South African football. I watched that team very closely and I was very impressed with what he was doing.”
“And we’re not saying we don’t want foreign coaches to come and improve our game, good foreign coaches, when they come and impact positively towards [our game], we appreciate.”
What might have impressed Sundowns is that Folz was recently working as a performance manager at world football governing body Fifa under former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
He also has experience working as an assistant coach for the Uganda and Mauritania national teams.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach Romain Folz
Image source: AmaZulu
