Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Gavin ‘Stability Unit’ Lane has described the rate at which Betway Premiership clubs are changing coaches this season as “ridiculous”.
Just seven games into the term for most teams, heads have rolled at five clubs so far. Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze became the first coach to be fired when Sekhukhune United released him after losing three straight games to Pirates, while Durban City FC parted ways with Khalil Ben Youssef.
Phuti Mohafe lasted just five games at Marumo Gallants, and Ronnie Gabriels was a casualty at Richards Bay FC. Siwelele FC have placed Lehlohonolo Seema on suspension as his chances of being retained appear very slim.
However, surprisingly, Brandon Truter has been inconsistent but is still at Chippa United, a club famous for being impatient with their coaches. There are also coaches whose futures look bleak at some clubs, with little guarantee that they will last the season.
LANE REACTS TO THE JOB CARNAGE IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
Giving an example of his own experience, the ex-Buccaneers centre-back has shared his thoughts on what has been happening at clubs deciding to make changes to their technical departments.
“Even when I came and played at AmaZulu under Clive Barker, later on Sisa Bikitsha took over as the owner of the club, and I then became Neil Tovey’s assistant coach,” Lane told FARPost.
“One day we went to play [Kaizer] Chiefs, I wasn’t even sitting on the bench, I was sitting in the players’ lounge, and we came back on a Sunday. On Monday we had a meeting, and he [Bikitsha] fired everyone, including myself, all of us.
“I wasn’t even part of the guys sitting on the bench. I think it’s very sad when owners of clubs just take it upon themselves to hire coaches who might not be suitable for the club and then just fire them.
“Now five or six coaches are gone, and it’s the seventh league game of the season. That’s ridiculous. The problem is you have a contract with the club, and I don’t think they pay that too well anyway when you get fired. It is what it is. I was in that boat as well, so I know a little bit about it, but many years ago.”
CLUB OWNERS INTERFERING WITH THE WORK OF COACHES
Lane also touched on the issue of club bosses meddling in the affairs of the technical team, leading to discord between the two parties in their working relationship. He alleges that was the reason why Gavin Hunt lost his job at Durban City FC last season.
“Gavin Hunt, when he was down here coaching Durban City, I played a few games of golf with him and heard some of the stories where, like, the owner says, ‘Listen, you need to do this for this game,’” Lane went on.
“There are strategies for each game. I mean, Gavin Hunt is one of the top coaches in the country, and you will trust him anywhere.
“Next thing, one day I saw him walking, and I hooted and asked, ‘What’s going on? Where is your car?’ He said, ‘They just came and took it; I have been fired.’”
RELATED STORY: Cedric Kaze finds new home after Sekhukhune United exit
