Katlego Sekhu

KZN-based side AmaZulu have announced the appointment of former Real Madrid assistant coach Pablo Franco Martin as their new head coach.
AmaZulu’s President Sandile Zungu announced the services of the Spaniard on a 36-month deal.
“We have been interviewing a number of parties who had expressed an interest in becoming head coach of AmaZulu Football Club. These prospects were local – tied to teams in the DSTV Premiership, others were erstwhile coaches of the DSTV Premiership, and some were internationals based in Africa who compete in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup. Others were coaches who had stints in the continent who were now coaching in Europe, Asia, some in the Middle East, and one or two in South America,” said Zungu.
“We are absolutely delighted at the quality of the parties that we interviewed, who shared with us their ideas about Usuthu. Usuthu is loved and seen as a very attractive prospect. We emerged with one name. A name that the players will be very happy with, the supporters, sponsors, and the directors of AmaZulu Football Club. We believe that the local league will be richer with a person of this gentleman’s caliber coming to the DSTV Premiership.”
Franco began his coaching career in 2008 as an assistant manager at Coria CF. He then went on to work as an assistant manager at CF Fuenlabrada, Getafe CF, Saburtalo, Beijing Enterprises, and Qadsia SC.
In 2018, Franco was appointed as an assistant manager to Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid until November 2018, when Lopetegui was sacked.
After Real Madrid, Franco was appointed as the manager of Tanzanian side Simba SC, leading them to the Tanzanian Premier League title in 2021-22.
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