Real de Banjul hires foreign coach

Franky Van De Velde appointed Real de Banjul coach

Real de Banjul have confirmed the appointment of Belgian Franky Van De Velde as head coach of the senior and youth teams on a two-year contract.

After narrowly failing to defend their title in one of the keenest league championships this year, Real de Banjul are turning to Europe for coaching expertise they hope will help them win back the title from Steve Biko.

The 2012 champions lost out to Biko by a solitary point in 2013 after a season in which their team was not only inconsistent on the pitch but their championship-winning coach also walked out on them mid-way into the season over a pay dispute.

According to the club’s official website, Franky will take over from Baboucarr Coker, who was drafted in on a temporary basis following the departure of Alhagie Sarr, who claimed Real de Banjul had reneged on agreements in his contract.

The club believes that Franky, “will bring in a lot of European experience” to their team and the Gambian league.

In an interview with the club’s website, the 53 year-old said: “I’m delighted to be the new Real de Banjul First team coach. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and it is also very exciting to see the boys back. I hope to bring in my experience and I look forward to working with the players we have in the club.”

“I had the opportunity to work with the First Team [when I was assistant coach in 2010/2011] and Youth Team [as head coach since 2011]. I am looking forward to working with these great talents we have and hopefully, I shall develop them further,” he added.

The club revealed that Franky, who is a retired military 1st Chief Aviation, holds a UEFA B License, and was a former football player who played for Sporting Merelbeke, SK Gijzenzele, FC Perk, SK Houtem and KFC Merelbeke.

He started his coaching career in the lower leagues in Belgium where he coached youth players. Franky has also coached in Sint-Niklaas, KSK Lokeren, KAA Gent and SK Lochristi.

The Gent-born has also had the pleasure to work with names like Johan Boskamp, Piet Demol, Rudi Verkempinck, Danny Dhondt, Charly Musonda, Kevin De Bruyne, Emmerik Davriese, Stanly Opoki, Niels Depauw and Albert Martens.