Alfons Groenendijk, the Dutch coach offered to AmaZulu FC, is understood to have rejected a new contract in Turkey. The 59-year-old has been presented as an option to Usuthu ahead of next season with the club restructuring in all departments following a dismal 2022/23 campaign in which they finished fifth from bottom.
Ayanda Dlamini was appointed interim coach for the remaining six matches to help the club avoid relegation after Romain Folz was redeployed to a technical director role he has since quit. But president Sandile Zungu has not retained Dlamini for the future, revealing that AmaZulu were actively looking for a head coach. Groenendijk has been working as assistant coach to Nuri Sahin at Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super League and it was reported that Zungu was open to the idea of having a look at his CV and shortlist him.
It's now emerged that the former Ajax Amsterdam youth tactician has turned down the chance to extend his stay in Turkey, this motivated by the possibility of being considered for the Usuthu post. His contract was set to run out at the end of the month.
The Durban-based outfit have also been liked with Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi, but his agent has publicly confirmed that his client has no real intention to leave Chloorkop before his agreement with the club comes to an end. Mngqithi has a contract running until June 2024, and this means if more Premier Soccer League coaches rule themselves out, then this improves Groenendijk's chances.
Is Groenendijk the right man for AmaZulu?
