What upturn in South African coaches overseas means for local football
The prospect of having a South African in the dugout of aristocrats of planet football, preaching psalms of Shibobo in the world’s top leagues of England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, has always appeared far-fetched.
However, the recent upturn in South African coaches trickling into overseas clubs suggests that such a dream is not beyond the realms of possibility, and more doors might open for Mzansi trainers.
For starters, European clubs have always had some Africans on the periphery of their coaching setups.
Clubs such as Leicester City have Kolo Toure as an assistant coach to Brendan Rodgers.
The Ivorian’s younger brother Yaya Toure is managing Tottenham Hotspur Under-16 team, whereas Borussia Dortmund has Ghanaian Otto Addo as scouting chief.
FEW SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA COACHES IN EUROPE
The common thread with the Toures and Addo is that they are from West Africa. The same cannot be said about coaches from sub-Saharan Africa.
The presence of coaches from sub-Saharan Africa in top leagues in Europe was, until months ago next, to zero.
However, some winds of change have been blowing from this southern tip of Africa to Europe.
It is no longer about South Africa being on the receiving end of nondescript coaches from the streets of Europe.
The number of South African coaches working abroad is steadily increasing.
Mzansi now has exported eight coaches overseas to teach the masters of football their own art of football—a bit of Shibobo flavour.
This week alone, South Africa exported Fadlu Davids to Russia to work as an assistant coach to Josef Zinnbauer at FC Lokomotiv Moscow.
Pitso Mosimane is going to Saudi Arabia as Al Ahli’s head coach, and a few weeks ago, Roger de Sar started working for Iran as the righthand man for Carlos Queiroz.
The trio joined overseas compatriots such as Manchester United strikers’ coach Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar at Ajax Amsterdam under-18, Masilo Modubi (KES Leopoldsburg, Belgium), Alan Clark (assistant under-21 coach with Kosovo FA) and Bradley Carnell (St Louis City SC, America).
SOUTH AFRICA BENEFITS
Observers such as former Lokomotiv Moscow striker Esau Kanyenda tells FARPost the presence of the eight South African coaches overseas signals good news for domestic football.
“It shows that South African football is gaining more and more recognition. Ironically, some of these guys [Davids and McCarthy] were employed overseas because they were jobless in South Africa,” the former Jomo Cosmos star said.
“It is high time local clubs focused on hiring local coaches.”
Former Kaizer Chiefs forward-turned-agent Matthew Rusike could not agree more with Kanyenda.
The Zimbabwean tells FARPost that South Africa has quality coaches who can manage top teams in Europe.
“I think that obviously is a step in the right direction; a foundation to build on for the SA game as a whole. Having worked with many coaches across the world in a playing capacity and now as an agent, I see the level that is needed, and someone like Benni was always destined to succeed.
“I think coaches like Gavin Hunt, Eric Tinkler and Steve Khompela, to name a few, have always had a clear identity and ability to do so beyond SA borders. We all know coach Pitso and the unrelenting strive for perfection he has, and it shows in his results.”
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
The former SuperSport United and Cape Town City man said the South African coaches working overseas would, in the long run, open windows of opportunities for their compatriots to even manage in top teams in Europe.
“It’s so great to see coaches not only taking the chance to go abroad but the risk. I wish Fadlu the best of luck at a great institution. Hopefully, this starts a trend for SA and opens doors within football as South Africa has all the resources to be an African powerhouse,” Rusike added.
Renowned coach Farook Khan, speaking to FARPost, shared Rusike’s observation.
“It is always good to see the country’s coaches moving to clubs overseas. It allows them to grow and ultimately gain valuable experience. This experience becomes important for a country like ours, as it opens up opportunities for other SA coaches to move abroad,” he said.
Top football agent Mike Makaab said he hopes the South African coaches based overseas would “encourage more coaches to ply their trade outside our borders.”
MAKING PRESENCE FELT
The South African coaches are gradually adding value to the teams they are working for overseas.
Mosimane made a name at Al Ahly, winning two CAF Champions League titles and FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals plus two domestic silverware inside a crazy 21 months.
His success did not escape the attention of Al Ahli.
More remarkably, who would have imagined that McCarthy, straight from losing a coaching job at AmaZulu last season, be, as you read this, taking Cristiano Ronaldo and MBE Marcus Rashford, through the paces at Carrington Training Centre?
That he had a distinguished career at Porto, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, and Celta Vigo is beyond debate.
But the fact is, while McCarthy did his coaching badges in Ireland, he only launched his coaching career at Cape Town City before joining AmaZulu.
It is that coaching experience that he has brought to United!