COACHES IN TROUBLE
ONLY one coach has bitten the dust so far in the Premier Soccer League this season, but the big question is who is next.
Chippa United win the ‘sack race’ almost every season and it is not surprising that they still hold that crown.
Dan “Dance” Malesela was shown the door after three matches, and Eric Tinkler,
took over the reins.
The Chilli Boys have been blowing hot and cold under the tutelage of Tinkler, especially on the road.
Chippa have been bad travellers under the former Bafana midfielder, having suffered two defeats and drawn one game away from home – they failed to collect points against SuperSport United and Highlands Park.
Chippa’s only point away was against Lamontville Golden Arrows in a 0-0 stalemate at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
In total Tinkler have amassed seven points out of possible 15, having earned two victories at home, against Baroka FC and Free State Stars.
Seven out of possible 15 may be seen good enough for a side of Chippa’s calibre but if there’s one club chairman who is hard to please it is Siviwe Mpengesi.
Tinkler knowns without a shadow of a doubt that the axe can fall any time. He needs to up his game if he doesn’t want to lose his job. Only five points separates his side from AmaZulu, who are at the bottom of the log, and the Chilli Boys will face Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United in their next few matches.
Another coach who is skating on the thin ice is Joel Masutha of Black Leopards.
Leopards have struggled for consistency this season, having lost four games, though they’ve won two encounters and drawn two matches.
Like, Chippa, Leopards are on eight points, and Masutha made it clear after losing to Arrows on Sunday in a league match in KwaMashu that he is not concerned about his future at the club.
“Football is football. There’s always pressure. Pep Guardiola (of Manchester City) is also under pressure. Jose Mourinho (of Manchester United) is also under pressure. All the coaches in the world are under pressure.
“Even the one’s who are coaching on the LFA’s are under pressure. You win today and you are supposed to win the next match. That is pressure on it own,” Masutha said.
Leopards are facing difficult matches after the Fifa break, as they will host Free State Stars and then visit Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City before welcoming Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.
“I don’t even think about my job being on the line. I know it sells a lot when we are talking about jobs on the line but I don’t think about that.
“If people can fire Mourinho who am I? I don’t think about the chop. I only think about the next match. Right now all the clubs are relegation and championship candidates. I believe in my players and I believe that we are here to compete and we are here to stay,” Masutha elaborated.
Baroka FC have displayed good football but they haven’t yielded positive results. They are currently second from the bottom of the log with five points after 10 games.
Baroka have already lost five games which is not good, and the pressure is piling on the new man at the helm, Wedson Nyirenda.
The Zambian need to turn things around as quickly as possible, otherwise he will bite the dust.
Nyirenda and his troops will visit Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville Golden Arrows in their next two league assignments.
If he doesn’t get the results in the next matches it won’t come as a surprise if he get fired.