This thing doesn’t work’: Fadlu Davids’ unflinching view on co-coaching 

Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids has, once again, shared his unflinching views on the co-coaching system, saying it must be flashed out for the progress of South African football.

Fadlu Davids was blunt in his comments about a system he was once part of at Orlando Pirates.

The 41-year-old tactician was co-coach with Mandla Ncikazi at the Buccaneers, but his contract with the club was not renewed at the end of June after a barren spell.

And having been part of the coaching set-up, Davids is convinced that it doesn’t produce results.

FADLU DAVIDS DOESN’T BELIEVE IN CO-COACHING

“I think I was very clear in my comments when I said this co-coaching doesn’t work.

“I can say it clearly once again that all our championships must forget about it. It was something that happened at Sundowns, and they got a bit of success.

“You know this thing of copying the champions and doing things because you think that is the reason, but it’s despite the co-coaches that they had the success,” Davids said during an interview with Masekepe Matsebane of Power FM.

He added: “This thing doesn’t work. It’s only in South Africa and nowhere else do you see it happening, and the sooner we can get away from this will be the better for South African football to move forward.”

Mamelodi Sundowns were the first to introduce the co-coaching system when they appointed Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena as co-coaches following the departure of Pitso Mosimane.

For Sundowns, it worked with the help of senior coach Steve Komphela as they won four trophies in two seasons.

This included back-to-back PSL titles. They have since reverted to the old system, with Mokwena as head coach.

EMPTY HANDED

Orlando Pirates followed the same route last season by appointing Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi as co-coaches.

Unlike at Sundowns, the Buccaneers ended the season empty-handed, developments that convinced Davids that the system doesn’t work.

Sekhukune United and Royal AM also adopted the same system. Royal AM appointed Dan Malesela, Khabo Zondo and Abram Nteo as co-coaches but to no avail.

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