As far as I know he is still our coach: Royal AM boss on Dan Malesela
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Royal AM general manager Richard Makhoba says the club will launch an investigation into reports that co-coach Dan “Dance” Malesela has left the club.
Reports on Wednesday from multiple media houses were that Malesela was headed back to his former team, Marumo Gallants.
While Makhoba said he would investigate the reports, he was vague on whether Malesela remained on AM's bench. He could also not say whether the coach was in Durban.
“At the moment, as a club, we don’t have a comment. But the club will investigate and call a press conference,” Makhoba told SowetanLIVE's sister publication TimesLIVE.
“We want to get to the bottom of the rumours that he is going to Marumo. As far as I know, he is still with the team.”
TimesLIVE was reliably informed Malesela was due to have a crunch meeting with Royal’s management on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking to Sowetan, Malesela refuted claims he was going back to his old employer. The publication reported the coach was at home in Pretoria to attend to personal issues and not sure when he was returning to KwaZulu-Natal.
“I’m home now and with my wife, and we are trying to fix this thing I’m facing,” Malesela told Sowetan.
“So probably on Friday I will return to KwaZulu-Natal, but I’m not sure. As soon as I’m done I will go back. There is nothing [to the reports]. If there is something you will know. I don't like hiding things.”
Malesela is part of a head-coaching trio at Royal with Khabo Zondo and Abram Nteo.
Royal meet Highlanders of Eswatini at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night in the second leg of their Caf Confederation Cup first-round tie, having drawn 0-0 away in Sunday's first leg.