Tinkler explains shock decision

Eric Tinkler (right) says the prestige and ambition of SuperSport United are the reasons he decided to join the club, despite a successful campaign with Cape Town City.

Matsatsantsa confirmed yesterday that Tinkler would be joining on a threeyear deal, starting on July 1.

“This is a successful club, they have been in the top eight for the last 17 years, they have been in numerous finals, they have won cups and league titles, they are a well-established football club with a fantastic youth system,” said Tinkler.

“All of that was important in the decision I made.”

When asked if the motivation was financial, Tinkler responded: “No. It is the success and ambition of the club. Not that City are not ambitious, they have a very ambitious boss in John Comitits, but for the progression of my career this was a great move. You see guys (former SuperSport coaches) like Gavin Hunt, where they have gone, and Pitso Mosimane, I don’t just want to emulate that, I want to better it, if possible.”

The move has clearly angered City and their chairman John Comitis, with City’s statement on Tinkler’s departure speaking of a “broken” contract “weeks before pre-season”.

“I can’t really blame him (Comitis), we had a successful season (at City), a very good season, and it was important for me to make a very quick decision for both clubs,” said Tinkler, who won the Telkom Knockout and finished third in the Absa Premiership at City.

“I’d like to believe my relationship with him will still be strong.”

SuperSport’s press conference yesterday began in high farce, with media walking out after the club issued a press release on Tinkler’s appointment and conducted a live television interview on their own channel before the official conference.

SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews afterwards issued a public apology.