AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin has made it no secret that Usuthu need to strengthen the team when the January transfer window opens to give them a fighting chance in the DStv Premiership. But high-ranking Siya sources have indicated there could be a slight difference of opinion between the head coach and newly-appointed sporting director, Pedro Dias, who arrived at the club in October.
The Portuguese-born administrator is believed to have been given carte blanche on all things player movements with president Sandile Zungu still having the final say, although he leans heavily on the new man.
According to sources inside the club, Martin has identified a certain profile to the kind of personnel needed to improve his team, but those in the know have suggested this will have to be in consultation with Dias.
Indications are that Dias has so far looked at recruiting younger players and promoting from the DStv Diski Challenge, otherwise known as the reserve league, while the coach has publicly made it clear he wants more established players.
"If we can go into the January transfer market and get the quality that can strengthen the team, I think this can be motivation for all of us to aim at getting into the Top 8 and be consistent," Martin said at a recent press conference.
Soccer Laduma has been led to believe Dias is behind the decision to inform possible suitors of AmaZulu's willingness to offload utility player Tercious Malepe, and the coming weeks will determine just how much authority he has been given by Zungu and whether or not Martin will get his targets.
