FAM offers expat coach’s top up

In its desperate bid to hire an expatriate coach for the Flames, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has told government that it is ready to provide for part of the package.

This is contained in the motivation paper which the association has submitted to government through the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) which The Nation has seen.

“FAM is ready to negotiate with the potential coach on the salary package which will also include accommodation.

“FAM is [also] ready to discuss with the government on what [it] can provide as part of the salary package. It is in this regard that FAM recommends recruitment of an expatriate coach on a three-year contract,” reads part of the motivation paper signed by former general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda.

The association further states that it has engaged some of the coaches who have applied for the job “and the salary demands range from $7 000 [about K5.1 million] to $15  000 [about K10.95 million].

“However, FAM believes an affordable expatriate can be identified from the applicants.”

“FAM will use the applications [60 in number] that have been received so far, to shortlist five potential candidates for the position of the head coach for the Flames.

“FAM hereby engages the Malawi Government on its decision before the potential candidates are assessed in next few days,” it further reads.

The association has for the past 12 years employed two expatriates Burkhard Ziese and Stephen Constantine on full time contracts and both left prematurely.

Ziese left just after year in his two-year contract after he was fired on disciplinary grounds while Constantine terminated his contract.

However, FAM argues that the two showed much promise and improvement than local coaches.

In justifying its cause to hire an expatriate coach,  FAM has listed 12 areas in which locals fall short compared to expatriates and which include performance, tactical deficiencies, lack of managerial skills, visionary and analytical skills, ability to inspire, meeting deliverables and selecting players on merit.

But while confirming being in receipt of FAM’s motivation paper, Sports Council executive secretary George Jana said he could not divulge the contents, “as they remain in classified category. But we have received the motivation from FAM and we will be analysing the same before we discuss with government.

“From face value, the reasoning behind the idea looks a good one. However, we believe there are considerations that could be added if the idea is to ensure that the national team becomes continuously successful. Otherwise, at this stage it could end up serving the nation as a short-term solution.”