Gibson reveals 2019 dream
BULLISH: NEW COACH’S EYE ON WINNING WORLD CUP
‘I want to take the team to where they’ve never been before’.
New Proteas mentor Ottis Gibson said yesterday that his goal as a coach is to take players where they have never been before, and in South Africa’s case that is to World Cup victory in 2019.
To stake his future and state his commitment to winning a tournament in which South Africa have had nothing but ill-fortune was surprisingly bold, but Gibson was clearly out to make an impression as he was introduced to the South African media for the first time since his appointment, in Sandton yesterday morning.
“The big goal is the World Cup in 2019 and with that in mind I hope to do something special for South Africa, take the Proteas back to the top of the pile and win the World Cup. The opportunity is there and that will be our focus for the next two years. My coaching philosophy is evolving all the time, but I want to make a differ- ence and improve people.
“I want to take the players to a place they have never been before, and it’s the same for the team – where do they see themselves in the future? It’s about where the team is and where they want to go. It’s about taking talented players and getting them together as a team,” Gibson said.
The former England bowling mentor and West Indies head coach said he will not be coming in with sweeping changes to the side.
“Every team has their charter, how they want to be seen and how they want to represent their country and, having spoken plenty with Faf du Plessis, I know there is the very strong Protea Fire concept that is respected by the players, so I look forward to getting involved with that.
“Being the first black coach and the first foreigner since Bob Woolmer sounds like a lot of pressure, but I have inherited a very good team from Russell Domingo. I will let the players lead for a while, until I get my feet under the table.
“The Proteas have been No 1 in the world on a few occasions and were No 1 not that long ago, so there are people there that know what it takes. Have they still got that passion? If they do not, can