Chickelday open to PSL return

Scott Chickelday, the man who helped solve Orlando Pirates’ goalscoring woes, is open to a return to the Premier Soccer League.

The English striker coach has gained prominence for his exploits with a number of international strikers, including Ollie Watkins and Harvey Elliot in England, which initially drew the Buccaneers’ attention.

Chickelday joined the club on a short-term basis and oversaw five matches during his month-long stay in South Africa.

In his short-lived stint, Chickelday’s work in coach Jose Riveiro’s team was evident to see as the side managed to overturn their run of six goals in five matches, to 11 goals in the subsequent five matches.

He returned to England on 5 February, where he has continued his work with individual players, and now Soccer Laduma has been informed that he would consider a return to South Africa as one of his options.

The Siya crew reached out to Chickelday in his England base, where he confirmed that he would be open to a return to the DStv Premiership if the opportunity presented itself.

“Yes, 100%. It’s a fantastic country and I love the football. I watch it regularly now here at home. So, I don’t just watch Pirates games now, I’m watching other games as well and think South African football is on the up. I think it’s a good level of football and it’s definitely a place where I would like to return to and continue to work.

“I was made (to feel) welcomed by everyone, not just within the club, but with within where I was in the country. I thought the people in South Africa were really nice people, very welcoming, and it’s definitely a country that I would return to work, 100%,” he said.