Sports / Soccer
Sam Allardyce; Bruce, and Peter emerge favourites for Warriors job
3 hrs ago |
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Veteran former England manager Sam Allardyce is reportedly leading the list of candidates being considered for the vacant Zimbabwe Warriors coaching position following the sacking of Michael Nees on Wednesday.
The 71-year-old Bolton Wanderers legend, who has been out of work since leaving Leeds United in 2023, is strongly tipped to take the role, according to sources at Zifa. Other prominent names, including former goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and ex-Warriors striker Peter Ndlovu, are also under consideration for positions within the national team's technical department.
An insider suggested that Allardyce would serve as head coach, working alongside Ndlovu as team manager, while Grobbelaar could assume responsibilities in due course. "Big Sam is head of the team. Bruce's time will come but it begins now, working with both Allardyce and Peter Ndlovu," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Grobbelaar briefly coached the Warriors in 1997, winning both his games in charge, and held discussions with Zifa last year. Ndlovu, who is currently with Mamelodi Sundowns, recently completed the CAF 'A' Coaching Course in Tanzania, qualifying him to coach at national level.
The appointments are expected to take effect ahead of the African Cup of Nations finals in Morocco from December to January, where the Warriors will compete. In the interim, Kaitano Tembo, who remains from Nees' technical team, will serve as caretaker coach for friendly internationals against Qatar and Algeria during the November Fifa break.
Sources indicate that Tembo, a former Warriors vice-captain with experience coaching Supersport United in South Africa, is likely to remain part of the technical department once the new appointments are finalised. Zifa's Technical and Development Committee, headed by Tafadzwa Benza, is still deliberating on the structure of the team's technical department.
Allardyce's potential arrival has generated excitement among local football fans, who hope his wealth of international experience could propel the Warriors to a first knockout stage progression in their sixth Afcon appearance. The former Bolton Wanderers, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and Leeds United manager also enjoyed a stint as England manager in 2016, and this would be his first coaching assignment in African football.
Zifa has stated that further details regarding the transition and interim technical arrangements will be communicated in due course.
The 71-year-old Bolton Wanderers legend, who has been out of work since leaving Leeds United in 2023, is strongly tipped to take the role, according to sources at Zifa. Other prominent names, including former goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and ex-Warriors striker Peter Ndlovu, are also under consideration for positions within the national team's technical department.
An insider suggested that Allardyce would serve as head coach, working alongside Ndlovu as team manager, while Grobbelaar could assume responsibilities in due course. "Big Sam is head of the team. Bruce's time will come but it begins now, working with both Allardyce and Peter Ndlovu," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Grobbelaar briefly coached the Warriors in 1997, winning both his games in charge, and held discussions with Zifa last year. Ndlovu, who is currently with Mamelodi Sundowns, recently completed the CAF 'A' Coaching Course in Tanzania, qualifying him to coach at national level.
The appointments are expected to take effect ahead of the African Cup of Nations finals in Morocco from December to January, where the Warriors will compete. In the interim, Kaitano Tembo, who remains from Nees' technical team, will serve as caretaker coach for friendly internationals against Qatar and Algeria during the November Fifa break.
Sources indicate that Tembo, a former Warriors vice-captain with experience coaching Supersport United in South Africa, is likely to remain part of the technical department once the new appointments are finalised. Zifa's Technical and Development Committee, headed by Tafadzwa Benza, is still deliberating on the structure of the team's technical department.
Allardyce's potential arrival has generated excitement among local football fans, who hope his wealth of international experience could propel the Warriors to a first knockout stage progression in their sixth Afcon appearance. The former Bolton Wanderers, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and Leeds United manager also enjoyed a stint as England manager in 2016, and this would be his first coaching assignment in African football.
Zifa has stated that further details regarding the transition and interim technical arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Source - New Ziana
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