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Free State Stars part ways with Solinas and hire Letsoaka as new coach

As expected‚ Free State Stars have agreed to part ways with their coach‚ Italian Giovanni Solinas‚ and have directly appointed Serame Letsoaka as his replacement.

Struggling Stars sit in 14th place‚ just above the Premier Soccer League relegation zone at the halfway stage having won just three of their first 15 matches.

In a statement‚ Stars said: “Free State Stars Football Club confirms the mutual termination of the head coach‚ Giovanni Solinas’ employment contract with immediate effect.”

The statement quoted Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena as saying: “The mutual termination of the head coach’s employment contract was based on the fact that the coach and the management of the team did not share the same vision with regard to the approach for the remainder of the season and the future‚ and as a result both parties have decided to amicably terminate the relationship.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the head coach for his hard work throughout his employment with the club and we wish him all the best for the future.

“Furthermore‚ the club would like to announce the appointment of Serame Letsoaka as the new head coach for the remainder of the season‚ whom we believe will guide our club to great success.”

Former Stars playing captain Letsoaka – the ex-Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville Arrows coach and Safa technical director – becomes the Free State side’s third coach this season.

Solinas had returned for his second stint at the club – having coached Ea Lla Koto with some success in the second half of last season – after Frenchman Denis Lavagne was sacked just three games into 2016-17.

Solinas had complained before the PSL’s Christmas break that the Stars squad contained too many youngsters and was short on experienced performers following the loss of several big-name players during the off-season.

He said he hoped Stars would make signings during the January transfer window‚ but was unsure if the club’s management would support him on his concerns. - TMG Digital

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