AmaZulu in final stages of sporting director appointment

Usuthu president Sandile Zungu first confirmed the Durban-based outfit would advertise the position two months ago having announced imminent changes at a press conference, but without going into more details. 

Several days later then interim coach Ayanda ‘Cobra’ Dlamini was sacked, while Romain Folz, who first joined AmaZulu as the head coach and later redeployed to being technical director, also vacated the post. 

And before Zungu could hire the sporting director, the owner welcomed Pablo Franco Martin as the new man in the dugout, while allowing his son Mfundo and daughter Sinenjabulo – the CEO of the club – to continue interviewing possible candidates for what is expected to be a crucial department. 

Former Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo was also part of the panel assisting AmaZulu with the search for a sporting director as confirmed by Zungu to journalists when asked whether he would appoint the ex-defender instead. 

CVs did pour in, with SABC Sport reporting last month that Walter Steenbok was the favourite with other prominent names like Sudesh Singh, Maximilian Stumpf, Kabelo Bosilong and Shaun Bishop also mentioned.  

Steenbok is the current SAFA technical director with four years remaining on his contract and last week launched the Clive Barker Academy on behalf of the mother body, which indicates he is now unlikely to leave. 

Stumpf has vast experience abroad and was the director of football for German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt’s youth side, while Bosilong is a football consultant with a strong background as a CAF stadium inspector and club licensing instructor – he also worked for the Premier Soccer League. 

Singh has previously coached in Vietnam and was recently part of the COSAFA Cup technical study group, while Bishop had earlier this year confirmed to the public broadcaster he was leaving his post as head of academy at Sundowns for an “opportunity” in Portugal. 

Usuthu have been mum on developments, however it’s believed the process continues behind closed doors and although there’s no official deadline it’s expected the club hopes to hire a sporting director by the end of September.