Milford FC chairman Dr Xanti Pupuma has revealed that his decision to stay on as coach for at least another season was influenced by his players at the club.
Dr Pupuma guided his club to a historic promotion to the Betway Premiership after just three seasons in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They secured their spot in the elite league through the PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs, where they edged Cape Town City and Magesi FC.
Following the conclusion of the playoffs in June, Dr Pupuma said he was still weighing the option of whether to continue as head coach or not at Milford.
Dr Pupuma, who is a practising gynaecologist, has been leading the team’s pre-season training at the Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, Limpopo. He revealed that after a discussion with the players and management, he has decided to remain head coach at least until the end of the season.
MIFLORF FC PLAYERS CONVINCE HEAD COACH TO STAY
“It’s actually the players more than management because I really thought about it,” said Dr Pupuma.
Dr Pupuma also shared his plan to make way for his assistant coaches, Nkululeko Buthelezi and Michael Gumede, noting that both are currently busy completing their coaching credentials.
“The aim and the purpose are to try and ensure that the guys [assistant coaches] I am working with are ready to take over the team. I do not think we will look for anybody else. So the feeling was that maybe they needed a little bit more time with me just to guide them a little bit longer. It might be six months or 12,” he added.
“We will see how it plays. They are also getting their badges outside. So in a way it makes sense to me because the boys said no [stay] at least one season, so that we settle and also get used to the responsibilities that come with making the decisions on the bench or by the touchline.”
DR XANTI PUPUMA HAPPY TO GUIDE HIS SIDE MILFORD FC IN THEIR FIRST SEASON IN THE PREMIERSHIP
Expressing his commitment to a smooth handover, Dr Pupuma revealed his timeline and his desire to see his successors flourish.
“So I am staying on purely for the team and just waiting for the right moment to step aside. I really enjoy sitting in the stands and being a fan. For now, the plan is for the whole season. Definitely, it won’t be more than the next 12 months,” he declared.
“I have other things that I need to do. If I continue, then I will be blocking the way for Zane [Buthelezi] and Mike [Gumede] to grow. So I also need to step aside. I will still be involved in some decisions and try to advise them here and there. So it’s not like I am going to disappear into the wind.”
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