Newly appointed Richards Bay coach Vasili Manousakis says his players are “mentally and emotionally damaged” and that he is partly to blame as they have not won in three months now.
Bay suffered a 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, stretching their winless streak to nine matches in all competitions.
The club that was second in the league before the World Cup break, having won seven matches, but now they have won only once since the season resumed.
But they went through a traumatic time, seeing one of their players and captain – Siphamandla Mtolo collapsing on the pitch during training in front of his teammates and coaches before passing away last month.
Sanele Barns lost his mother at the same time, missing both the matches against TS Galaxy and Pirates.
Then chairman Sifiso Biyela decided to reshuffle the technical team, moving away from dual coaching role between Pitso Dladla and Manousakis, and appointing the latter as head coach in the aim to change the fortunes.
“Don’t forget what these players have been through in the last couple of weeks,” said Manousakis after their defeat to Pirates.
“This team is damaged mentally and emotionally. I say this with respect. We lost some unbelievable footballers tragically in this country.
“I wonder how many of those dropped in front of their own teammates. Besides what you see on the pitch, this counselling, there is a whole lot of other things that are happening in the background.
“So that’s why I said I’m very proud of these boys and I’m glad you picked that up. We are giving these young boys an opportunity, we have to because they are top and I love them.”
Manousakis, who was appointed as a head coach for the first time in his career, says he would have loved to start his tenure with a win, but it wasn’t to be.
“You always want to start with a win, for the club first and foremost,” said Manousakis.
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“Listen, what you must understand – two things have happened here. Number one, my title has changed and for those who know me, the title means absolutely nothing.
“The second thing that has changed, I’m now solely accountable [for the team] and when the axe chops, it chops my head off. Those are the only two things that have changed.
“Involvement in picking the team at training, planning tactics, doing all those things remain the same. But yes, you always want to get off to a good start but that is the least of my concerns.
“I just think we need to find those points to get the belief back.”
Bay remained sixth in the DStv Premiership table with 31 points after 24 matches and next host Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
