After parting ways with the entire coaching staff recently, Richards Bay have confirmed that they will be unveiling the new coach for the upcoming DStv Premiership season next Monday.
Head coach Vasili Manousakis and his two assistants Simo Dladla and Ronnie Gabriel were all shown the door, following their disappointing end to their premiership debut season.
Richards Bay are following in the footsteps of fellow Kwazulu-Natal based counterparts AmaZulu, who reshuffled their technical team and recently appointed Spain international Pablo Martin Franco as the new head coach.
The Natal Rich Boys had a topsy-turvy season and narrowly escaped the relegation by the skin of the teeth. They finished number 13 on the log standings with 33 points – three points away from the relegation play-offs spot.
The KZN based outfit had a flying start to their top-flight football debut season, who at some stage were sitting on top of the league table and were among the top four teams for the better part of the first round.
Things went from bad to worse for the Natal Rich Boys following the sudden passing of captain Sphamandla Mtolo, who collapsed and died during a training session.
Club chairman Sifiso Biyela will be expected to turn things around, despite being accused of the for allegedly micromanaging and meddling in the team’s selection.
The club has already added two new signings as part of their squad reinforcement, with striker Justice Figareido joining from All Stars FC and exiting prospect Thato Mohlamme from Uthongathi FC – who is the son of former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi.
Richards Bay players returned for their pre-season training on Tuesday and will be looking to hit the ground running next season with a new-look technical team.
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