Johnny Ferreira ditches Black Leopards, returns to TTM

Well-travelled coach Johnny Ferreira has ditched Black Leopards to return to arch-rivals Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila [TTM].

This comes after Ferreira stepped down as Lidoda Duvha’s head coach. Ferreira joined Leopards in November last year after parting ways with TTM citing financial instability as the main reason. 

It is believed that the 65-year-old mentor tendered his resignation with immediate effect on Tuesday. In a turn of events, Ferreira has rejoined TTM after cutting ties with Leopards. 

JOHNNY FERREIRA LEAVES LEOPARDS IN DANGER ZONE

He leaves Leopards languishing at the basement of the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 12 points from 15 outings. 

The club have never won a single game in their last four matches in which Ferreira was in charge. This includes three league games and Nedbank Cup qualification. 

Ferreira was given the mandate to try to bring back the club into the South African football top flight, but following the club’s string of poor results, the pressure was just too much for the ex-Venda Football Academy coach.

Leopards were trusting in Ferreira, given his extensive experience of the beautiful game, and their fans hoped to witness an exciting brand of football under his tutelage. 

However, it was very unfortunate that things have not worked out as expected.

JOHNNY FERREIRA’S DREAM TO GUIDE LEOPARDS TO THE PROMISED LAND REACH PREMATURE ENDING

When Ferreira left TTM to join the Leopards, he had told this publication that it was always his dream to coach the Vhembe-based club, noting that he believes they can be big as Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.  

“I decided not to stay at TTM, and within 24 hours, I made contact with Mr David Thidiela,” Ferreira told FARPost.

“I do believe it’s a sleeping giant of South African football; I do believe they can be as big as Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns. 

But, his dream to guide Leopards to the promised land has reached a premature end. 

At TTM, Ferreira had started the campaign on a front foot, winning in their opening six matches and also found themselves on the top of the table.

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