Luc Eymael swops Polokwane for the Free State

Bloemfontein Celtic have confirmed that coach Luc Eymael has taken over the reins at the club. The Belgian born coach has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The 57-year-old stepped down as coach of Polokwane City on Thursday.

Eymael’s departure from the Polokwane club came in spite of him guiding City into the next round of the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday evening. Speaking on Metro FM with presenter Robert Marawa on Thursday evening, Eymael broke the news of his sudden resignation. The coach's resignation came as a shock to the South African football fraternity as his stellar work has seen Rise and Shine move up to seventh place on the Premier Soccer League(PSL) table.

The former AS Vita Club coach confirmed to Goal that he had indeed resigned from the post. Eymeal also took to Facebook to express his final farewell to the Polokwane faithful.

“I want to thank the fans,” Eymael’s Facebook post read.

“the management and my super players and my staff for the hard work done with me.

“I wish you all the best for the future. It was for me a hard decision to take, but I think it was the best to do,” he concluded.

Eymael’s move to the Free State follows his pronouncements on Thursday Night Live with Marawa, where he stated that he had offers from other African clubs but preferred to remain in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the coach has expressed delight at his newest venture.

 “I’m happy to join the team of such incredible stature with massive support,” Eymael told the club’s website.

“When I first arrived in the country, I somehow had a soft spot for the team purely because of the passion and dedication displayed by the supporters and trust me, I share the same thirst to win. My philosophy is simple, to play good football with appropriate tactical discipline. I have watched the team before and have seen some exceptionally good players that just need guidance and encouragement to start winning again,” Eymael concluded.