Phakaaathi.co.za New faces on coaching scene
Stars, Celtic, City unveil their choices for new season.
When a new season starts, supporters expect – even demand – to see some new faces, and the 2017/18 Absa Premiership is no different.
The upcoming season is set to be entertaining judging by the changes that teams have made so far.
There will be three new faces in the dugouts as well, with Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and Cape Town City debunking the boring “recycling of coaches” and introducing new men to guide their fortunes.
Phakaaathi takes a closer look at the three coaches who will be making their debuts in the Absa Premiership.
Phunya Sele Sele’s new man at the helm is Serbian Veselin Jelusic – who has already gained popularity with the club’s fans calling him the “Vaseline” that is going to ensure the Free State team shines again.
Peter Butler will guide the fortunes of Rustenburg’s Platinum Stars while former Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy has been given the reins at John Comitis’ Cape Town City. Age: 61 Nationality: Serbian Qualifications: Uefa A Licence Jelusic also holds a PhD in Physical Education with a football subject from the University of Belgrade. He is well-travelled, having previously coached in Angola and Botswana.
In Angola, Jelusic was in charge of Interclube, winning the Angolan Super Cup in 2001. He then moved to Botswana where he coached the national team in 2002, helping the Zebras move up to 40 places in Fifa rankings. His spell with Botswana ended in 2006. Age: 50 Nationality: English Qualifications: Uefa Pro Licence Butler is also a well-travelled coach. The Englishman has had coaching stints in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and more recently Botswana. He was responsible for the promotion of Kelantan FC to the newly-formed Indonesian Football League in 2009, but later left the club. He returned in 2011 and guided the club to the top of the Malaysian League. The former West Ham midfielder is renowned for the job he has done with the Botswanan national team. Age: 39 Nationality: South African Qualifications: Uefa A Licence The former Bafana striker is in his first stint as a head coach of a club having served as an assistant at St-Truiden alongside Chris O’Loughlin in the Belgian Pro League. After narrowly avoiding relegation, the pair were sacked at the end of the season in 2016. McCarthy doesn’t have a lot to show on his CV as a coach but holds a lot of promise. A winning mentality is what drives him, McCarthy having won many trophies in his playing career.