Dan Malesela stands firm on decision to leave Royal AM

After a few months since his departure, Dan Malesela returned to Marumo Gallants again this week. This comes after he stepped down as one of Royal AM’s coaches last week. He was hired just before the start of the current season by Mamkhize, joining Khabo Zondo was already coaching the club whom he co-coached the club with.

At first it was not clear what caused Malesela to turn his back on the KwaZulu-Natal football team, but it became clear this week. “I thought I should go. Co-coaching is not something I like. There are things I could not do because I was not working solo,” said Malesela while speaking to a radio station.

“There was no disagreement about something between us [as coaches], but it would have taken a long time for the team to play the way I wanted it to. That is why I decided to go,” said Malesela.

He returned to Gallants which he left in the last season despite being in the final of the Nedbank Cup. “It was unfortunate that Dan Malesela’s contract ended, and we [as a team] were looking for a coach. After discussions, we decided to welcome him back as the coach of Marumo Gallants,” said Abram Sello, the Chairman of the club.

Malesela takes the place vacated by Romain Folz of France who went on a rampage against Harris Chueu whom he accused of meddling in his job. Folz announced his resignation to the media weeks ago, but Marumo Gallants said it knew nothing. Then the club distanced itself from Chueu’s comments about the coach. Malesela arrives at a bad time as Marumo Gallants are still looking for their first win after eight games this season.

It has six points on the log after six draws and two defeats. Next month Gallants will meet TS Galaxy in the DStv Premiership match which will be held at Mbombela Stadium.