De Sa decides to take sabbatical
COACH WENT HOME FOUR TIMES A MONTH United chairman lent a sympathetic ear to his plight.
Roger de Sa says he is only likely to return to management next season after leaving Maritzburg United just seven games into his tenure at the Team of Choice.
De Sa took over at United in January, but his resignation was confirmed on Thursday, with family commitments in Cape Town given as the reason for his departure.
The 52-year-old has rubbished rumours that he could take over as Bafana Bafana head coach.
“I can’t believe how people jump on that one … I have never spoken to anyone at Safa,” De Sa told Saturday Citizen yesterday.
“I have a few business ideas I was already flirting with. If something (in coaching) comes up I will look at it, but it will only be next season, I am sure.”
De Sa was already commuting to Cape Town about four times a month to be with his family while he was in charge at United.
“It was difficult for me to go up and down and after discussing it with the boss (United chairman Farouk Kadodia), I said it is not going to work. He agreed and understood. We continue to be amicable and there are no hard feelings. The club will be fine … I think they are two wins away from a top eight spot,” added De Sa.
United won just one of seven games with De Sa in charge, a 2-1 home league win over Free State Stars on February 26. They also drew 1-1 at Polokwane City in De Sa’s first game, but lost their other five matches, including consecutive defeats in league and cup to KwaZulu-Natal rivals Golden Arrows. “He was with us for only three months, but I thank him for the time he spent here and I wish him well for the future. Fadlu (Davids) will take over the reins, supported by the existing technical team until the end of the season,” said Kadodia in a statement on United’s official website.