Marumo Gallants Chairman allays fears around financial struggles

Gallants unveiled their new head coach, Alexandre Lafitte, in Johannesburg on Monday morning, replacing Abdeslam Ouaddou, who left at the end of last season. 

Ouaddou’s exit was less than cordial to begin with, as the club had informed the coach that they would be cutting his salary in half, but Sello says they found an amicable way around it.

"Marumo Gallants have never had financial difficulties; we have always been stable in that department. We don't over-commit and we don't under-commit.

"All the players seem happy and ready to start the new season, with a new coach at the helm," asserted Sello. 

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Gallants relocated to Bloemfontein at the beginning of last season and became the football-mad city’s only professional club, but they will now have some competition with the arrival of Siwelele FC.

Sello says they have no problem with more PSL sides in Mangaung, with exciting local derbies to come.

"When we announced that we would be playing in Bloemfontein, there was a loud outcry, but we have grown to love playing in Bloemfontein, and we have received great support from the Mangaung municipality."

The new Gallants coach comes with a decent reputation, having previously won the league title with Stade d’Abidjan in Ivory Coast, and has worked in the PSG youth structures in the early stages of his managerial career. 

 At just 28 years old, he becomes the youngest coach in the South African topflight, and says he wants to manage expectations before challenging for titles.

"It is important to understand the current reality of the club, and where the club wants to go in the future. My job is to simply help the club obtain it's objectives.

"Last season, the team achieved 10th position, and we will aspire to improve on that position," said the French tactician. 

Lafitte also says the opportunity to work in the Premier Soccer League was one of the factors that drew him to the job. He says the league is up there with Egypt and Morocco as the best run league on the continent.