Marumo Gallants bid coach Abdeslam Ouaddou goodbye after short but impactful tenure

In a surprising turn of events, Abdeslam Ouaddou has announced his departure from Marumo Gallants, just a few months after taking the reins of the Bloemfontein-based Premier Soccer League side.

The French-Moroccan coach made his announcement through a social media statement on Saturday night, expressing gratitude to the club’s staff, players, and supporters for their unwavering support during his time at the helm.

Ouaddou’s statement read: “I would like to announce with this press release the end of the adventure with the Marumo Gallants club.

"It has been a great pleasure to have collaborated with all the resources of the club. I would like to thank first of all my players, my president, and all the stakeholders of the club who participated from near or far in this mission to save the club, without forgetting our magnificent supporters.

"The people of Bloemfontein will remain in my heart forever. I wish the best to Marumo Gallants as well as to my players.

"I love you guys. I obviously remain open to any proposal for an ambitious project and am determined to take on a new challenge.”

Ouaddou’s tenure at Gallants began in March, replacing Dan Malesela, the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender. His arrival injected a fresh sense of purpose, highlighted by an impressive victory over Orlando Pirates in his debut match.

Under his guidance, the team experienced a revival that left fans buzzing with optimism. He lifted the side from a precarious position to a commendable 10th place in the league and led them to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.

Ouaddou’s final game turned out to be a crucial moment, as a victory against Magesi FC could have secured a Top 8 spot.

As it stands, Gallants now face the challenge of appointing a new leader ahead of the 2025/26 season, which is set to begin in August.

Before joining Gallants, Ouaddou made waves as the head coach of AS Vita Club, stepping down after a difficult tenure marked by a disappointing defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup – more than a year ago against Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town.

His decision to leave Gallants comes in the wake of recent discussions with club chairman Abram Sello regarding the direction of the team. While Ouaddou’s exit raises questions, his positive impact on Marumo Gallants is undeniable.