A Football Association of Malawi (Fam) official has solved the cryptic puzzle on Ronny van Geneugden’s actual post, saying he was hired as Director of Football.
“This coach has been engaged as “director” of football and he will manage all national teams so that we build a philosophy and identity across the board,” the Fam official posted on his Facebook page in response to a critic over the hiring of van Geneugden as the Flames Coach.
“We did not go for a coach that will make us win Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations]. We went for someone who will help to build a platform, better [sic] playing style across the board.”
The remarks of the official, who was present when Fam unveiled van Geneugden in Blantyre, are supported by the association’s press release which General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, issued on March 12 2017 when announcing the Flames’ withdrawal from continental competitions.
“Accordingly, Fam will recruit a highly qualified and experienced Director of Football to lead these development programmes. It is expected that the Director of Football is going to fully develop the game at the grassroots and youth level so that a strong under-15 [s], under-17 and under-20 national football team [s] can be developed,” Gunda stated before Fam u-turned on the withdrawal.
There was confusion on van Geneugden’s actual role after Fam President, Walter Nyamilandu, said, apart from coaching the Flames the Belgian will also head junior national teams.
“Ronny will also act as the head coach of all national teams. We want the football philosophy to be consistent and the methods of training must start from the junior teams,” Nyamilandu told the press at Mpira Village last Saturday.
The Fam boss added that Fifa would sponsor the coach’s perks plus travel and accommodation expenses for the Flames’ participation in the African Nations Championship qualifiers.
However, Fifa only funds administrative expenses and football developmental projects for associations under the Financial Assistance Programme (Fap).
Fifa Southern Africa Development Officer, Ashford Mamelodi, confirmed to Zimbabwe’s Chronicle newspaper edition of September 16 2016 about the Fap funding.
“Previously, it was $250,000 a year but Fifa have doubled that. The association can also access $750,000 Project Funding per year and in four years associations would have received $5 million from Fifa but that is if you do your things right,” Mamelodi told the newspaper.
The hiring of van Geneugden also seems as a duplication as Fam has a Technical Director (TD), John Kaputa.
Nyamilandu and Gunda did not respond to questions seeking clarification on the Belgian’s actual post.
Gunda earlier unveiled Gerald Phiri Senior as Coach only for Nyamilandu to say that the Belgian would take up the post.
“His developmental space actually complements the role of the TD. Development is not a one man’s job and the TD needs support,” Nyamilandu told The Nation edition of April 11 2017.
Information on the internet indicates that a director of football is a senior management figure at a football club and acts as an intermediary between the manager and the board.
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