Luc Eymael, Head coach of Free State Stars and Rantsi Mokoena, general manager of Free State Stars at Stars Academy, Bethlehem (Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix)
Free State Stars’ general manager Rantsi Mokoena claims that the rumours linking their coach Luc Eymael with a move to Kaizer Chiefs are beginning to show some disrespect for their team.
He says the persistent rumours which they have clearly quelled over and over again shows that some people do not respect them as a club.
“I think it is also unfair and maybe even undermining for this narrative to continue. We need to respect the fact that Luc is contracted to Stars. It also seems to suggest that he is above Free State Stars or we do not deserve a coach of his calibre. I think this narrative needs to stop,” said Mokoena who admitted that he was irritated by the rumours.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs have not contacted me – Eymael
“Whether or not he is available should not be an issue because he is contracted. We went seven games without a win in the league – four losses and three draws. If you trace it back, it goes to since the story about Chiefs started. It goes as far as disturbing not just the coach but the players and the club at large,” added Mokoena.
Mokoena also admitted that the failed attempted sale of the club two years ago affected their supporters and some have note forgiven them for it.
It is believed that some supporters have boycotted the team’s matches as they felt disrespected by the attempted sale.
“It continues to haunt us even today. We have raised the issue with our supporters. The numbers have dwindled since that incident. A lot of people were angered and saddened. They didn’t understand why it was happening. It’s unfortunate that we cannot communicate everything,” said Mokoena.
READ: Stars respond to reports linking coach Luc Eymael to Chiefs
“We were going through a seriously horrid time as a family. It is no secret that the club depends entirely on how the family does in business. The family subsidises the team. The grant alone is not enough to run the club,” added Mokoena.
He however ensured the fans that the club is no longer for sale and things have stabilised for them allowing for them to continue running the club.
“At the time things were not going well for us in business but they have stabilised now,” he said.