With Cape Town Spurs hunting for Shaun Bartlett’s replacement following his sacking, there should be plenty of options on the PSL market.
Coach Shaun Bartlett’s dismissal from Cape Town Spurs has opened windows of opportunities for other PSL job-seekers.
WAS SHAUN BARTLETT’S SACKING INEVITABLE?
The DStv Premiership rookies announced the departure of the Bafana Bafana legend on Monday, October 2 2023.
Bartlett’s dismissal seemed inevitable. Afterall, the Urban Warriors remain winless in this DStv Premiership campaign.
WHAT WAS THE LAST STRAW FOR THE BAFANA LEGEND?
The last straw that surely broke the camel’s back for Spurs was the 3-1 loss to rivals Cape Town City on September 30 2023.
The seventh consecutive league defeat left Spurs rooted at the DStv Premiership basement.
ANY TAKE-HOME FROM URBAN WARRIORS’ STATEMENT?
Spurs have since announced that they are closing in on a new trainer.
“A shortlist of candidates has been identified and an announcement is expected imminently,” the club’s statement reads.
SO WHO IS AVAILABLE ON THE PSL MARKET?
The take-home message from the statement could be that they have identified a potential suitor.
The new coach has surely to come in quickly to steady the ship.
That would surely require an experienced PSL coach to hit the ground running.
There are plenty of experienced handlers on the market such as Ernst Middendorp.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach returned to South Africa from Tanzania weeks ago.
Middendorp quit Tanzanian side Singida Fountain Gate coach barely days after joining them.
The ex-Maritzburg United mentor attributed his exit from Singida to poor working conditions.
Apart from the German, Spurs can also find a perfect fit in veteran Muhsin Ertugral.
The Turkish-born coach won the Telkom Knockout and MTN8 with AmaKhosi.
The Facebook page for the former Ajax Cape Town mentor suggests that he is based in Western Cape.
Ertugral is said to have witnessed the iKapa derby on Saturday. This is according to Transfermarkt Area Manager Sahil Ebrahim.
“Met the legendary Muhsin Ertugral at the #iKapaDerby on Saturday,” Ebrahim tweeted while posing with Ertugral.
“This man has been at the helm of the biggest sides in his time in PSL. Huge respect.”
Another possible candidate could be Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
Micho parted ways with the Cranes of Uganda weeks ago after a failed AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Serb is knowledgeable about Mzansi football following his two spells at Orlando Pirates.
In case the Urban Warriors want fresh blood, the likes of Daine Klate are available.
The former SuperSport United winger cut his coaching teeth at Chippa United last season.
However, the 38-year-old was released after a few games. Klate surely has something to prove.
It remains to be seen if Spurs will announce the new coach before October 4 2023.
On this day, the newcomers host SuperSport United at Athlone Stadium.