Coach Vasili Manousakis is set to remain with Richards Bay beyond this season, iDiski Times has learnt.
The club feels he has done well since he was appointed as the co-coach during the off season and will be offered a new contract. .
Manousakis, who left AmaZulu at the end of last season after Benni McCarthy was sacked in March last year, was initially appointed as technical advisor to coach Pitso Dladla after the Natal Rich Boyz were promoted to the top flight.
However, when the club unveiled new players such as Luvuyo Memela late in July, Bay chairman Sifiso Biyela was left impressed by his knowledge of the game, saying it is why he lifted his position to be the co-coach of the club.
But Manousakis was appointed on the one-year deal and that contract will expire at the end of this season, but the club feels he has done well as most of the players were signed before his appointment.
Then this means he will be judged mostly next season on how Bay do having exceeded expectations this season in their maiden term.
The backing that Manousakis has received, even though the club has not won since January away against Marumo Gallants, the sources said they understand why they are not doing well because key players have suffered injuries.
One of those was top defender Simphiwe Mcineka, who has not played since October last year due to the injury.
Manousakis has spoken countless times in the media of how Mcineka has been missed in the side.
The club is also mourning following the death of their inspirational captain Sphamandla Mtolo, who collapsed on the pitch when the training was about to be over on Tuesday last week.
Mtolo was laid to rest on Sunday, and Manousakis was not present. The former Cape Town City assistant coach is in Scotland, attending the final classes for his UEFA A License course and it is not clear whether he will be back when Bay visit TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.
Even about that, chairman Biyela boasted on stage during the funeral service of Mtolo about the desire of Manousakis to match his former coach Benni McCarthy to obtain the UEFA Pro License, the highest qualification in world football.
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McCarthy obtained his UEFA Pro license a few years ago when he was the City coach.
“We have to apologise on his (Manousakis) behalf. He’s abroad, completing something that is huge and something we need as the club, especially the new club, he’s completing his UEFA course,” said Biyela.
“This is the UEFA A license, the last block and that will increase his coaching intelligence to be at the level of Pitso Mosimane and Benni and others. We are not a club that stops people when they have one week to finish their studies because you have a contract with us, that is not how we work.”
