Former Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu FC head coach Brandon Truter is poised to take over the reins at Betway Premiership side Richards Bay FC.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the Truter is in advanced talks with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit, and an announcement by the club is imminent.
The appointment of Truter follows the mutual parting of ways between Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Richards Bay, as reported by FARPost on Monday.
Vilakazi’s departure from Richards Bay has come as a shock to many. The coach was instrumental in guiding the KZN club to Premiership safety through the PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs in June.
As a reward, he was offered a new contract. However, a sudden change of heart from the club saw them offer Vilakazi an assistant coach role instead. But the terms of the contracts were altered.
This prompted the coach to resign. Sources indicate that the club attempted to renegotiate the terms of the already new agreed-upon contract, leading to an impasse. The two parties have since reached a settlement.
TRUTER ON THE BRINK OF RICHARDS BAY MOVE
Richards Bay’s decision to make a coaching change appears to be linked to the club’s recent R100 million sponsorship deal with Phakwe Gas. During a media briefing last month, Phakwe Gas CEO Thabiso Tenyane expressed the company’s desire for an experienced coach to lead the newly sponsored team.
It appears Phakwe Gas has played a pivotal role in identifying and securing Truter as the club’s new ‘experienced’ coach.
As reported by SABC Sport, Truter is set to take over as head coach of Richards Bay with immediate effect. Upington City FC, Truter’s previous club, has granted him permission to leave to take up the new role.
This marks a reunion for Truter and Richards Bay. He previously coached the side in the second-tier league.
Truter was with Upington City as technical director. The club was busy with preparations for the upcoming season when Richards Bay approached him with the coaching opportunity.
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