Durban City FC have parted ways with their head coach, Simo Dladla, following long negotiations between the two parties, FARPost has learnt.
Dladla joined the club as an assistant coach at the start of the 2023/24 season, when it was still known as Maritzburg United under Zipho Dlangalala’s leadership.
This was the first season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after they got relegated via the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs, with Cape Town Spurs earning promotion.
Dladla took over in the middle of the season when Dlangalala was sacked following a poor start to the campaign as Maritzburg were aiming for promotion back to the top-flight.
In his first season at the helm, Dladla guided Maritzburg to a fourth-place finish in the Motsepe Foundation Championship table, having accumulated 46 points after 30 league matches.
The club rebranded as Durban City the following season and moved to Durban. This came after difficulties in securing a home venue in Pietermaritzburg, especially since the now-defunct Royal AM, backed by uMsunduzi Municipality, had taken over Harry Gwala Stadium.
In their first season after the rebrand, Dladla helped Durban City earn automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership after finishing at the summit of the table with 58 points after 30 matches.
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Dladla’s contract expires on June 30, and the two parties have parted company after they couldn’t agree on terms, with the club unable to meet the coach’s demands for next season.
As previously reported by FARPost, Durban City have approached Owen Da Gama, who saved Magesi FC from relegation in the recently ended season.
They are also considering bringing on board Sean Connor, who is currently with Jwaneng Galaxy, after winning the Orange FA Cup in Botswana.
Another candidate being considered is Roger De Sa, currently an assistant coach under Diogo Peral at Cape Town City. His future with the Citizens is uncertain, with the club taking part in promotion/relegation playoffs.
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