Alexandre Lafitte: Marumo Gallants appoint 28-year-old Frenchman to take over from new Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou

Marumo Gallants parted ways with Abdeslam Ouaddou who this week resurfaced at Orlando Pirates as their new head coach.

However, Siwelele sa Marumo have moved to replace the Moroccan with a new coach and they have settled for Alexandre Lafitte.

The Frenchman joins Gallants from Ivorian side Stade d'Abidjan.

“Marumo Gallants FC confirms the appointment of Lafitte Alexandre as the club’s new Head Coach,” said the club in a statement.

“The 28-year-old French coach brings a strong track record in leading teams in both France and Côte d’Ivoire. Alexandre most recently managed Stade d’Abidjan, where he guided the team to the Ivorian League title and qualification for the CAF Champions League group stages in the 2023/24 season.

“His appointment follows the departure of Abdeslam Ouaddou, who parted ways with the club at the end of the recent season.”

At 28, Lafitte is the youngest coach in the Premier Soccer League and he takes over the Gallants job after helping Stade d'Abidjan to the Ivorian league title.

A former youth coach at Paris Saint-Germain, he was also the youngest coach in the CAF Champions League last season.

The Frenchman arrives in South Africa with Orlando Pirates familiar opponents for him after twice meeting them with Stade d'Abidjan in the Champions League group stage last term.

Lafitte joins a club which recently released 12 players and that gives him a lot of work to do in the transfer market.

He will be building a new squad as Marumo Gallants attempt to stabilise the club in the top division after flirting with relegation last season.