Sekhuhkhune United head coach Brandon Truter admits the coaching merry-go-round in the Premier Soccer League is stunting the development of South African football.
Truter himself has fallen victim to the trigger-happy treatment of head coaches in the DStv Premiership, having been with Swallows, AmaZulu and now Babina Noko over the last two seasons.
But Truter earned his stripes in amateur football before rising through every level of the South African football league pyramid before his top-flight breakthrough with the Dube Birds.
And ahead of facing Chippa United for a place in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup he admitted what’s happening for the Chili Boys as they are on their fourth coach this season in Siyabulela Gwambi – is counterproductive for the club and essentially the national team.
“It is a bit tricky preparing for Chippa, the new coach might have his own ideas about how he wants to approach the game,” Truter explained.
“But at the same time, I think at both clubs, it’s an opportunity to progress to the semi-finals, and that itself will motivate the players but we can’t just depend on the want and will to win. We have to look at their strategies and weaknesses, and strengths and formulate a plan from there.
“For coaches for preparing and wanting to build a philosophy, an identity for a club and ultimately contributing to Bafana, contribute to football in South Africa, it’s a bit difficult having so little time to build things.”
Truter went on to emphasise that to be given time can create a foundation for clubs to develop better players, and create stability to enable some pathways for young talent but he understands that the industry is cut-throat due to the money being invested by owners.
“To actually be comfortable, focused on having a three-year plan, and not being worried about being fired in three games so you can build something, with relationships, playing style, identity, culture and atmosphere at the club,” he continued.
“The merry-go-round is not good for our football, players have to adapt very quickly and sometimes it’s result-driven and you can’t really help potential and talented players to develop, you have to focus on getting the next result and that’s about it.
“Yes we’re in a result-driven industry, the supporters and club owners want winning football, attractive football, some of us were fired getting results without an attractive brand of football, and then some of us are playing good football without results. So it’s a tricky situation that we as coaches find ourselves in.”
Sekhukhune face off against the relegation-threatened Chippa in the domestic cup competition on Sunday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (15h00).
