AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has explained why the club appointed Pablo Franco Martin as new head coach and also revealed the Spaniard’s new nickname.
Usuthu announced the appointment of the former Simba SC and Getafe coach Franco Martin on Tuesday, confirming he has joined the club on a three-year deal.
Zungu gave insights into the club’s coaching search, saying he had interest from the DStv Premiership, CAF Champions League clubs, but also Europe, Asia and South America.
“It’s been a very intense two weeks after we informed the public of intended changes at AmaZulu Football Club,” he explained.
“We’ve been interviewing a number of parties, who expressed interest in becoming head coach of AmaZulu Football Club.
“These prospects were local, tied to teams in the DStv Premier Soccer League. Others who were asked while coaches of DStv Premier Soccer League teams, and some were internationals based in Africa, tied to teams, who compete in the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup. And others were coaches, who had stints in the continent, who are now coaching in Europe, Asia, some in the Middle East, and one or two in South America.
“We were absolutely delighted at the quality of parties that we interviewed, who shared with us their ideas about Usuthu. Usuthu is loved, is seen as a very attractive prospect by anybody who wants to be head coach.
“Unfortunately, we cannot be coached by everybody. Even though we’re really pleased with the quality that we saw. At the end of it, after very, very intense discussions among the technical team that was interviewing and analysing candidates, we emerged with one name and a name that we know the players will be very happy with. The supporters of AmaZulu Football Club will be very happy with and so will be the sponsors and directors of AmaZulu Football Club.
“And we believe that even the local league will be richer with a person of this gentleman’s caliber, coming to be part of the DStv Premier Soccer League.
“And it is therefore with greatest pleasure that I announce the appointment of Pablo Franco Martin as the new head coach of AmaZulu Football Club for the next 36 months. It is signed on dotted lines, and he will be landing on the shores and the home of AmaZulu Football Club in the next couple of days.
“We’re very excited at the acquisition of the services of Pablo Franco Martin. And as it is tradition here at AmaZulu Football Club. He’ll be known as the Cijimpi, the warrior. So, Pablo ‘Cijimpi’ Franco Martin is the new head coach of AmaZulu Football Club.
“Welcome to you to Cijimpi, we look forward to you doing what you are renowned for.”
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Zungu then gave a few more background information on his new coach, who will arrive in the coming days in South Africa.
“He has coached in Kuwaiti, he has coached in Tanzania, a very popular and well known brand called Simba. He has coached Getafe in Spain and also as an assistant coach to Real Madrid and here’s a Spaniard, a person of Spanish nationality,” he added.
“He’s renowned as being no up there with the modern soccer. With think that AmaZulu will be richer in terms of quality of play with the Cijimpi on the bench.
“So we are very excited and we know that everyone associated with AmaZulu, everyone associated with DStv Premier Soccer League will be very pleased with the Cijimpi.”
