One or two had tears in their eyes
On his departure from AmaZulu FC
Last week, I parted ways with AmaZulu FC and what I can I say is that my stay at the club was wonderful, to be honest with you. I had no problems with the club management, the chairman and the president (Sandile Zungu). I didn’t want any problems, to be honest with you, because I enjoyed my stay in Durban. When I took over the team late last season, we were outside the Top Eight and by the end of the season, we were in the MTN8, which was a great achievement in itself. When I joined, I received a mandate from the club, which was to finish inside the top four because AmaZulu wants to qualify for the CAF inter-club competitions in every season – that comes with the territory of coaching a club as big as AmaZulu. And I felt that with the quality of players that the management brought in, the top four position was reachable – it was doable. But of course, starting the new season afresh with 15 new players – 15 players were released at the end of last season and 15 new ones were brought in – we were starting over a rebuilding process, but the quality was there. Of course, we were going to encounter problems here and there, but I felt that we managed those problems very well. We were in a rebuilding phase, taking the club to compete against the Big Three (Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs). There are definitely enough quality players at AmaZulu, but with coaching and managing a big squad like that, you will always run into a problem here and there. Players are human beings, outside of football there is also life and I understand that. I had to manage the whole squad, not just when they were on the field of play but off the field too.
On taking over from Benni McCarthy
Coming in and taking over from Benni McCarthy, the darling of South African football, and bringing in something new to the table was always going to be a challenge. Benni and his stature and what he has done for South African football, home and abroad, cannot be matched by any player and replacing him as a coach was always going to be a challenge. I had to convince the players to buy into my philosophy and after eight matches, we had seven wins and one loss. I had to convince the management as well that I was the right person for the job. I felt that I was up to the task, and I took the team to the semifinals of the MTN8 again. Getting that far in the MTN8 was not something new to me. At Swallows FC as well, I took the team to the semifinals of the MTN8 before I got released – this season it was the same story. When I look at my PSL record, I can confidently say that I’m not a relegation specialist. I took teams to the Top Eight and the semifinals of the MTN8 for two seasons in a row. There were some difficulties along the way, but it’s football, you know, because with the amount of players that were brought in at AmaZulu, introducing my philosophy was always going to be a process – not just inside football but outside as well. Considering all the teams that I worked for in the past, I think AmaZulu were the biggest challenge in terms of the personalities of players. The club had ambitions for top four and brought in players with big personalities. For me, that was the learning curve – I can now say I know the pressure and dealing with the media as well. Now I know what it’s like to coach one of the biggest clubs in South African football and from this experience, I think I have come out a better coach.
On the players’ reaction
Unfortunately, we had suspensions and injuries to deal with and before the match against Richards Bay FC, we only had one goalkeeper. For three games in a row, we had challenges with injuries and suspensions and that also played a part in the results. And people started not thinking that there was still a lot to play for and the fact we were still in the semifinal of the MTN8. The day I told the players I was leaving was very sad. I told the players that I was leaving and because I had a strong bond with them on and off the field as well, some players were not happy and one or two had tears in their eyes. Even Sibusiso Mabiliso, who is the last player who was signed, was not happy that I was leaving. I spoke to them the day after the match against Richards Bay at training and I had sleepless nights. But that is football for you, we have to move on. The next step for me will depend on who will think I’m the best candidate to take the club. I have not finished outside the Top Eight at the previous clubs that I have coached and if I’m going to take over at any club that wants me, the challenge will be to qualify for the Top Eight – that has always been my challenge. I’m not a relegation specialist. Whether it’s AmaZulu, who were number 11 or 12 when I took over, or whoever, my aim is to finish in the Top Eight. We will see what is available on the market and then we will make a decision regarding the way forward.
Resigned or fired?
Look, the statement has been released by my management which states everything about what happened (that the coach had resigned due to personal problems). I won’t add anything into that, the matter has been sorted and I want to thank AmaZulu Football Club for the wonderful opportunity. I love the supporters and the club as well and it was always my dream to coach AmaZulu Football Club. I wish the club all the best going forward and I will probably love the opportunity to work at the club in future.
Brandon Truter, Former AmaZulu FC head coach