English manager picks three areas Sundowns outdo rivals Pirates and Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns are on course to win the sixth successive DStv Premiership title as their rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs battle to catch up.
English manager Mark Harrison, who has had stints with several South African clubs, says there is no challenger for Sundowns locally because the DStv Premiership champions are streets ahead.
FARPost had asked Harrison if he felt there were opponents capable of snatching the league title from Sundowns this season.
“Not really. I think Sundowns are streets ahead of most teams on and off the field,” the Englishman told FARPost.
WHY SUNDOWNS ARE AHEAD OF OPPONENTS
The former Golden Arrows and Chippa United coach picked three critical areas to Sundowns opening a yawning gap on their Soweto rivals – Pirates and Chiefs.
He said the Tshwane giants have the edge over their counterparts because the league leaders are futuristic in their squad, coaching recruitments, and planning.
Harrison observed that Sundowns are patient with the coaching panel members, hence, the success.
He cited Stellenbosch as another South African model of professionalism in football administration.
“To be successful, you need continuity on consistency. If you check Sundowns and Stellenbosch, you see what I mean,” he said.
The Briton said nothing had changed since he worked in South Africa regarding club owners’ impatience with coaches.
Harrison cited his former club Chippa United, which is notorious for firing coaches willy-nilly.
“Regarding Arrows and Chippa, I don’t see much change on the coaching scene,” he said.
“Too many coaches come and go through the revolving door. There is no patience within the clubs, but that’s not just those two clubs. It’s probably 80% of the clubs down in SA.”
Harrison has just steered Malawi giants Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to the Airtel Top 8 cup after beating rivals Nyasa Big Bullets over the weekend.
MARK HARRISON HOPES FOR ANOTHER FUTURE DANCE WITH PSL
The former Township Rollers coach said he would love to coach again in the DStv Premiership.
“Yes, I would love to coach in the SA PSL again, but it’s finding the correct environment to work in,” he said.
Harrison has coached clubs in Zimbabwe and Kenya, where he last worked in 2021 before joining Wanderers in October this year.
He had a coaching stint with Chippa, then Arrows.
RELATED STORY: Ex-Chippa United coach Mark Harrison yearns for first Malawi silverware