Richards Bay FC have parted ways with head coach Dimitar Pantev after just three matches in charge, with the club terminating his contract. FARPost understands that the two parties met on Thursday, when Richards Bay informed the Bulgarian coach that they wanted to end his tenure.
Pantev has since left South Africa, ending a brief spell with the KwaZulu-Natal side after replacing Ronnie Gabriel in September. The 50-year-old initially had to wait for his work permit before he could take his place on the bench.
Once cleared, he oversaw three defeats, starting with a 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout. The Natal Rich Boyz then suffered back-to-back 3-1 league defeats to Sekhukhune United and newly promoted Kruger United.
Indications are that management did not take the defeats to Babina Noko, now coached by their former mentor Papi Zothwane, and newly promoted Kruger United lightly.
Richards Bay sit bottom of the Betway Premiership with three points from nine matches and are still searching for their first league win of the season. They have lost six successive matches across all competitions.
Pantev, a league title winner with Gaborone United in the 2024/25 Botswana Premier League season, joined the Natal Rich Boyz after turning down Marumo Gallants. His coaching career in Africa has also included spells at Orapa United, Jwaneng Galaxy and Tanzania’s Simba SC.
WHO COULD REPLACE DIMITAR PANTEV AT RICHARDS BAY?
As previously reported by FARPost, former Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe and Young Africans SC assistant coach Simo Dladla are among the candidates being considered for the job.
Richards Bay are keen on a reunion with Dladla, who previously coached the club between 2020 and 2021. However, he remains under contract at Yanga, which could complicate a return to the KZN side.
The club has also reviewed Mohafe’s CV but has not yet approached him. Mohafe led Polokwane City to three successive top eight finishes after the club’s return to the top-flight.
Richards Bay’s next league assignment is against Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on 29 November.
They will look to turn their season around before the first round of Betway Premiership fixtures concludes at the end of January. Their remaining first-round matches include clashes with TS Galaxy, Orlando Pirates, Siwelele, Golden Arrows, Durban City and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The club is expected to move swiftly to appoint Pantev’s successor, giving the incoming coach time to work with the squad during the international break.
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