Ian Taylor has returned to Cape Town City after four years of his departure from the club.
The 45-year-old served as the Citizens’ assistant coach when the club was reformed in 2016 after John Comitis purchased the franchise of the now-defunct Black Aces.
Now, Taylor returns as City’s new head coach of the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team.
“Cape Town City welcomes back Ian Taylor as the new head coach of the club’s U21 Diski team. We look forward to the future development of South Africa’s top youth talents,” reads the club’s statement.
Taylor will be expected to bring a wealth of experience to the Cape club reserve side having previously worked with Ajax Amsterdam, Cape Town All Stars, Guangzhou City, Chippa United and Cape Town Spurs.
“In any academy, there has to be a pathway and it needs to be tangible. I think everything starts with structure, organisation and implementation of the philosophy. If our goal is to develop players to the first team is very important what we do in the younger age group,” said Taylor on signing his contract.
“Technically we have very gifted players because they come out of townships and they play a lot of informal football so there’s a lot of instincts and skills and only lack the decision making as you can see with lots of players in the PSL. For me, that comes back to understanding the game at a very young age and also comes back to good coaching. You have good coaches then you have good learners which for me is key.
“When you develop properly you will win, because winning is also part of the development. We got to get that right at a young age so that when they get in the first team the mentality is already instilled. I know there are a few aspects we need to get right and it’s only a matter of having a vision and the rest will be history.”
Just three weeks ago, we witnessed the club’s DDC teenage sensation Luphumlo Sifumba securing a deal with Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI), becoming the first South African football player to join the organisation full of world-class sports stars.
The 16-year-old joins other South African sports athletes such as Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi, Temba Bavuma, Lungi Ngidi and Bongiwe Msomi.
‘Kaka’, as he is affectionately known within football cycles made headlines when he became the youngest player to play in the DStv Diski Challenge Rewired after his debut for the Citizens at the age of 15.
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