Manqoba Mngqithi, who was recently let go as head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has expressed no regrets over his decision to appoint Romain Folz as his assistant coach at the start of the 2024/25 season, despite the coach's short tenure at the club.
Mngqithi, who had a successful stint at Sundowns spanning over a decade, made the decision to bring in the 34-year-old French coach, who had previously had mixed experiences with Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu, as his right-hand man.
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Together, the pair managed to guide Sundowns through 14 matches, with an impressive record of 10 wins, 3 losses, and just one draw.
While the duo's time at the club was brief, Mngqithi remains confident that the appointment of Folz was a sound decision. In a recent interview with Marawa Sports World, Mngqithi reflected on their partnership, stating that despite the relatively short duration, Folz's presence in the coaching setup brought a fresh dynamic to the team.
"I brought him and I believe it's the best decision I also took because he is a very good coach and believe me, if I get an opportunity, I would always want to work with him because I know the value he brings and for me, he is just one of those very young, detailed coaches - and a very good human being with no mentality that [because] he's from Europe, he is better than everyone," he said.
"Maybe because he's got some roots in Morocco, it helps him to be more African in his perspective of life," he added.
Unfortunately, despite their promising start, both Mngqithi and Folz were relieved of their duties by Sundowns, who then appointed Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso to take over the reins. The departure of Mngqithi and Folz came as a surprise to many, especially after the team's strong performances during their brief tenure.
The decision to replace the pair marks another chapter in Sundowns' ever-evolving coaching history, where managers rarely last long under the intense pressure to deliver success. While Mngqithi's reign was cut short, he remains unfazed by the club's decision and continues to speak highly of Folz, with no regrets about their time together at Sundowns.
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