Africa-Press – Malawi. Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has insisted that it conducted enough research before recruiting new Technical Director Marian Mario Marinica. The Romanian emerged successful via virtual interviews conducted recently, beating other experienced candidates including Scottish coach Frank Nuttall and Micheal Martinez from Spain.
Some quarters have raised concerns that Marinica hardly lasts more than two years on his job. Fam Sub-technical Committee Chairperson Tiya Somba-Banda, who is also the association’s executive member, said the Romanian was the best candidate.
“We did enough research and we got references from Black Leopards (South Africa and Azam FC (Tanzania). During the interviews he was also good,” Somba-Banda said.
According to Somba-Banda, Marinica, who signed a three-year deal, will enjoy the same package to his predecessor John Kaputa, whose contract was not renewed in June this year.
“Fam will be paying him with Fifa funding for TD,” he said.
Somba-Banda said he was incharge of the virtual interviews alongside Humphreys Mvula, Benjamin Kumwenda and National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) Chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni.
Previously, the association hand-picked Belgian mentor Ronny Van Geneugden as Flames coach based on his track record on the internet. But it ended in tears after the Belgian only guided the Flames to two victories, 12 draws and nine losses in 23 matches.
Details indicate that Marinica, a pro Uefa licence holder, has over 25 years of experience. His track record includes having stints with Arsenal Ladies Academy, Crystal Palace (Under-14, U-15 and U-19). He also worked as technical analyst for Paraguay at the 2006 World Cup finals.
In Africa, he was in charge of South African side Black Leopards, Forest Rangers of Zambia and Azam FC in Tanzania. Sports analyst George Kaudza-Masina said the new TD has no experience in that capacity at national team level.
“We lost an opportunity to recruit TDs who have vast knowledge. Fam could have done better. This guy will be learning on the job. I think Fam had no option,” he said.
After his unveiling on Wednesday, he told the media that he grabbed the opportunity whole-heartedly. “I want to have a scouting network in place. I need to start working on eight outblocks to build a legacy,” he said.
Nuttall, who came second during the virtual interviews, also has vast experience in football coaching. His track record includes working as a fitness coach at West Bromwich Albion, Rangers and China national football team as sporting adviser.
He also worked as coach for Kenyan giants Gor Mahia between 2014 and 2016 before joining Zamalek of Egypt as an assistant coach. Nuttal also managed sides such as Hearts of Oak, Township Rollers in Botswana and Saint George FC in Ethiopia.
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