Abdeslam Ouaddou unpacks Marumo Gallants contract breach saga

Speaking to Metro FM on Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, the Frenchman elaborated on the extent of his disagreement with Gallants chairman Abram Sello before he decided to quit. 

READ: SABC Sport has established that Chippa United could be closing in on their next head coach to replace Thabo September.

Ouaddou resigned via a statement to the media last weekend, but Gallants countered it, claiming the coach had not informed the club of his intentions and had all but threatened legal action. 

But the 46-year-old says his contract was breached. 

"I had an appointment in Johannesburg with my chairman, and I learned that he won't be able to pay the salary we negotiated when I arrived in March.

"The target was to serve the club for two years, and we had already negotiated everything, but when someone tells you they can't afford to pay you next season, there are two choices: you can decide to stop, or if you love the club, if you love the people and players, you will try and find a solution. So, I asked the chairman for another offer, he gave me an offer with a clause I did not like, a clause that was very unfair," explained Ouaddou. 

According to Ouaddou, both parties had long agreed on new terms effective 1 July, only for Gallants to reduce the offer and insist on a R1-million release clause.

Pressed on why he was strongly against Gallants wanting to be compensated if Ouaddou was poached by another team, the coach insists that he cannot be treated like a footballer.    

"I am not a player. Players are sold, and you can make money from the player sales. As a coach, you have targets to reach, and when you're contract is finished, you leave, because if I signed a two-year deal with the club, I want to stay for two years. If I am sacked by the club, it's another thing. 

"I think it's completely unfair that if you have bad results, the club gives you one or two months' salary to fire you, but if you do well with the team, the club will sell you for R1 million," said the frustrated Moroccan coach.

The coach admits he is yet to have a follow-up discussion with Gallants since his resignation, which the club claims blindsided them.