Santos axe coach Nooij
Santos have axed coach Mart Nooij after a poor start to their National First Division campaign.
The Dutch coach took over late last season but could not help the side avoid relegation to from the Absa Premiership, and with just three wins from their opening 12 games, owner Goolam Allie has decided to take action.
The last straw came with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of struggling Dynamos on Saturday, with Santos issuing the following brief statement:
“We hereby wish to announce that Santos FC and Mart Nooij have amicably parted ways with immediate effect. We wish to thank Mart Nooij for his services and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Allie and Nooij were forced to deny a report of a punch-up between the pair that appeared on a local football website late last month.
Santos are currently in 11th place, 11 points behind leaders Mpumalanga Black Aces. The NFD programme has now finished for 2012 and will resume on February 13 when Santos face Dynamos again, this time away from home.
