Romain Folz returns to join Mamelodi Sundowns

News of his arrival broke on Friday evening, with the Frenchman understood to have been introduced to the Downs players as a member of the technical team. 

The Brazilians are currently in Austria on their European tour, where they have played several friendly matches in preparation for the 2024/25 season under the watchful eye of head coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Sundowns recently made changes to their set-up, following the shock departure of coach Rulani Mokwena due to an alleged rift with sporting director Flemming Berg, with Mngqithi subsequently elevated to take the reins and Steve Komphela returning as "senior coach".

The public broadcaster learnt late on Friday night that the Tshwane outfit had made another surprise play by roping in Folz as part of their backroom staff. 

It was a role that is soon to be vacant with Michael Loftman not travelling to Austria with the rest of the team as he looks to follow Mokwena out the door, despite still having a year left on his contract. 

The 34-year-old Folz divided opinion during his brief stint in the Premier Soccer League, having failed to win any of the six matches while in charge of Marumo Gallants during the 2022/23 campaign. 

He then took over at Usuthu, where he managed four wins in 19 games before being temporarily appointed sporting director, only to quit the post and move to Guinea as Horoya SC coach – a spell that lasted a mere two fixtures. 

Folz then returned abroad and took up a new challenge as performance manager at world governing body FIFA, but now returns to the PSL as Sundowns assistant coach alongside Mngqithi and Komphela.

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