FAM sets conditions for clubs on coaches

 Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said from next season, Super League clubs will be required to officially communicate any changes relating to head coach and assistant coach or risk a K1 million fine.

In an interview yesterday, FAM club licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale also said in the event of a head coach’s departure, an assistant coach with a Confederation of African Footbal (CAF) C licence will be allowed to act in that position for not more than a month.

He said this has been done to ensure order in the recruitment of coaches.

He said: “There have been times when an assistant coach without a required qualification has been in charge of a team longer than necessary after the departure of a head coach.

“Last season, we had two or three such cases and we are saying no more shortcuts. The minimum requirement for a head coach is CAF B and we do not have to lower the standards.

“So, we have set a onemonth time-frame which has to be adhered to or risk a K1 million fine.

“We are also saying that if there are any changes, be it the head coach or assistant coach, the club has to duly inform us or risk a similar fine.”

National Football Coaches Association chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni hailed FAM for the new rule, saying it will ensure professionalism.

He said: “That is the way to go because you cannot have an assistant coach with no required qualification acting as a head coach for half a season.

“It defeats the whole purpose of having standards.”

Nankhuni also said a four-week time-frame is enough for a club to identify a suitable coach.

He said: “The issue of failing to identify a suitable coach should not be an excuse because we have so many unattached good coaches and if need be, clubs can seek our help.”

FCB Nyasa Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “Enforcement to comply with the club licensing regulations is important.

“However, FAM must see to it that C Licence holders attached to Super League clubs are given the opportunity to acquire the requisite qualifications as one way of ensuring that there is no vacuum in the event that a head coach is absent or leaves his job permanently during the season.”

Last season FAM barred three coaches, Joseph Kamwendo, Elvis Kafoteka and Luka Milanzi from being in charge of Bangwe All Stars, Extreme FC and Karonga United, respectively because they did not have the required qualifications following the departure of the clubs’ head coaches