Komphela set for United

STEVE Komphela will be unveiled next week as Maritzburg United head coach after the former Free State Stars’ coach agreed terms with the struggling KwaZulu-Natal outfit.

His agent, Tim Sukazi, confirmed the move and said the former Bafana Bafana interim coach was looking forward to taking up what is expected to be a back-breaking challenge.

“Steve’s move to Maritzburg United is imminent,” Sukazi said.

United fired Clinton Larsen yesterday after only nine games and 79 days in charge, saying results had led to terminating the contract.

Larsen switched places with Ernst Middendorp after leaving Bloemfontein Celtic in October last year but endured a torrid return to his hometown club.

Larsen lost all four home games at Harry Gwala Stadium in his time in charge and won one match – a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium – during his tenure.

According to Sukazi, Komphela is undeterred by the seemingly low levels of motivation in Maritzburg players and the long injury list – not to mention temperamental owners.

“Steve is a coach who thrives on challenges and he realises Maritzburg are a few places adrift of the relegation zone,” Sukazi said.

“If you go back a few years, you’ll realise that when he took over at Free State Stars they were in an identical position as United.

“He went in and rescued them from relegation. Since then Stars have been consistent in the league and achieved a top eight finish on several occasions when he was at the helm.”

The two parties have agreed on a 2½-year contract, Sukazi says.

United team manager Quinton Jetto said Komphela was the leading candidate to take over at the club but nothing had been signed as yet.

“We hope to complete the agreement with Komphela in the next couple of days and unveil him as our new coach early next week if everything goes according to plan,” Jetto said.