A case of sinking or swimming for coaches

It is widely believed that the best way to learn to swim is through being thrown into the deep end of a pool. That way you either swim or sink. So swimming then becomes compulsory as it is the only way for you to make it out alive.

This theory is used in almost all aspects of life and is right along the notion of ‘’tough love’’ which many parents believe is the best way to prepare their children for this cruel world we live in.

This is all fine and well and to an extent true. But sometimes it is not the best tool because not everyone can swim their way out. Some will sink, but because of either pride or embarrassment, will rather sink quietly than shout for help.

Okay, before I lose you and you think this is a motivational sermon, let me get to my point. I am going to speak about three coaches who are a perfect example of what we have for a long time now called for in South African football – young, with modern views.

First it was Fadlu Davids who, when given his chance as head coach at Maritzburg United, we were all elated.

At 36 then, Davids became the youngest head coach in the local game and Maritzburg were seen as pathfinders in that they not only believed in a young coach, but he was a local guy too.

He was someone who played the game here and clearly had a better understanding of the players. Things seemed to be going

Sibongiseni Gumbi

swimmingly well for him at first. He was swimming and not sinking. We were all happy, so much so that I can boldly estimate that when he guided the team to the Nedbank Cup final in his first year as head coach, everyone but those affiliated to Free State Stars wished that he won it.

But in the second year things turned sour and a man who looked to be doing well was suddenly sinking – and fast. I don’t know if he shouted for help or what, but it ended with him being shown the door.

Second, it was Benni McCarthy. He took to his first stint as head coach like a duck to water as he won a cup in that first year. He was also thrown into the deep end if you consider that he hadn’t even been an assistant for a year when Cape Town City installed him as head coach.

He is doing well so far and one hopes it stays that way or that if he feels out-of-sorts, he will be able to ask for assistance and that it will be provided.

Then there is Rulani Mokwena. He is currently the youngest coach to ever coach Orlando Pirates at 34. The way he got into the job was by default. He had to climb up when Micho Sredojevic suddenly quit.

I will not go into all the talk that made his ascension to the top rather seem controversial because that has been discussed at length previously.

But he is clearly sinking and unfortunately for him it doesn’t look likely that should he fail at Pirates, he would have a chance elsewhere to rebuild himself just as his assistant Fadlu has.

Mokwena needs support – not from us but from Pirates management who are the ones who threw him into the deep end. We, on the outside, are only fixated on the results. Those on the inside know better and should act fast before this promising young mind is lost to our football.