Marumo Gallants FC welcomes new coach forward of Betway Premiership – SABC Information

Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants have officially unveiled their new coach, players and plans for the upcoming season.

The Bloemfontein-based team recently appointed Alexandre Lafitte and his assistant Julien Outrebon to take charge of the Free State side this season.

Lafitte is the youngest coach in professional football globally.

But club chairman, Abram Sello, says the 28-year-old Lafitte will fit in well in Bloemfontein.

“We are the youngest club and we want to take up the challenge to make sure that our vision and mission is realised,” says Sello.

Marumo parted ways with their previous coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who has since joined Orlando Pirates.

Reports soon emerged that the Bloemfontein-based outfit claimed he had signed a two-year contract with them, just before tendering his resignation, and that the club was preparing litigation.

But Ouaddou is believed to have signed a short-term deal with Gallants, up until the end of the season, after joining in March, with the option of a two-year extension should he save them from relegation.

But Sello says they parted ways amicably.

“Actually, there was no dispute because we did the best we could do. We signed him until when he stopped. He is the one who said let me try something else and we had to sit down and sort it out amicably, but unfortunately he resigned via the media and we said to him come back to the boardroom so that we can sort it out,” he explains.

Meanwhile, the new coach is ready to crack the whip.

Lafitte led Stade Abidjan to the Ivorian league title for the first time in 56 years last season.

“I am very excited to be here because it’s a fantastic opportunity and the championship is the best in Africa and I like a new challenge. Marumo is a new challenge for me and I am happy to be here,” exclaims Lafitte.

The young coach joined Stade Abidjan at the age of 25 and was inspired by top coaches such as Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola and and wants to lead by example.

“I like to drive. When I was younger, I was the captain in my team, my father was a coach in table tennis. The likes of Mourinho and Guardiola developed a mentality for me to become a coach,” he says. 

Marumo Gallants will not be the only Premiership outfit operating out of the Free State this season. They’ll be joined by Siwelele FC, but it’s not something they are concerned about.

VIDEO | Gallants unveil new plans for season