Matsatsantsa boss lives for football
Taking over at United has shown Stan Matthews’s shrewd business side
He’s seen SuperSport off from an unknown brand to a force who’ve consistently won silverware in the past decade. Stan Matthews, Matsatsantsa’s chief executive, chats to on football and life in general
Gomolemo Motshwane What is your background?
I grew up in Johannesburg and went to King Davids Linksfield for my entire schooling life. I then did a degree in psychology at Wits and a BCom sports management at University of Johannesburg where I graduated cum laude in 1996.
How did you make your journey into football?
Before I was in football, I was in education for eight years. I was a principal at Boston City Campus. While there, I was also coaching and was the chairman of Highlands Park in 1994 as a 25-year-old. When I left, Larry Brookestone took over.
While at Boston, I met Imtiaz Patel who was at Cricket SA and we were the training providers to the Bakers Coaching Academy and Plascon Cricket academy. Imtiaz knew my passion was in football.
So when he went to SuperSport, he convinced me to come on board in 1999.
How many roles have you had at the club?
I started off in the academy, and when Shane McGregor left, I took over as executive manager. Later, I was appointed director of football and then CEO when I came back from the PSL.
How did last season feel like as an administrator when the team battled relegation?
It was tough because we have 108 people working at the club, and that means 108 families who rely on the club for a living. Last season we were one game away from not being able to offer that anymore.
We got a big wake-up call as a club. In the end we weren’t disappointed with the whole of last season. We won a cup and made it to the CAF final.
Your relationship with PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza?
The chairman has over the years provided incredible leadership and has really taken us through stormy waters. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr Khoza and what I’ve learned from him.
He is also looking into the next generation that will take the PSL forward, that is why you can see people like Mato [Madlala] and Khumbulani [Konco] in the PSL committee.
Why did you really leave the PSL CEO position after five months and go to SuperSport to become head of football operations in 2012?
The PSL is a big organisation and is not a place where you can go in and just make quick or unilateral changes. I was no longer emotionally invested in who would win, I was more concerned with stadium safety, security and stakeholders. So I would watch matches without emotional attachment.
I had in the past wanted an opportunity in television broadcasting and while having this personal debate in my head, the guy who was running the show on the TV side at SuperSport left and a spot opened up. I thought it was better to jump early.
I was still finding my way, so I decided to leave. In the end it was the right decision because I am still able to contribute to the PSL on the executive committee.
Why did it take some time to finalise the appointment of Kaitano Tembo as coach?
I signed Kaitano as a player and he has been with us ever since. He is a true professional and has been a loyal servant for 19 years.
We have a culture in the club of developing people; our staff members are constantly learning and going on courses and Kaitano being appointed was something that was a long time coming if you look at the years invested in him.
How did you manage to have two of the best coaches in SA – Pitso Mosimane and Gavin Hunt – come from the club?
I first met Pitso at Boston City Campus in 1997 where he was studying sport management.
I think [at United] we provide environment that is conducive. Gavin joined us when Pitso left, and we had tremendous success with both of them.
Outside of football, what does Stan get up to?
Without doubt I am a father and a husband first before I am an administrator.
I have five kids with my wife and we live our own private life.
My eldest child is 28 and my youngest is nine, so I enjoy my free time with them.