Zwane Opens Up On Parker Future

Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane has opened up on the future of captain Bernard Parker with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Parker, 36, joined Chiefs back in 2011 after a three-year stint in Europe where he played in the top-flight leagues of Serbia, Netherlands and Greece – while winning the Eredivisie title and Johan Cruyff Shield with FC Twente.

And over the past decade, he’s won two league titles, the Nedbank Cup and the MTN8 with Amakhosi while racking up 361 appearances across all competitions, first as a forward and now in a deeper role as a midfielder.

Recently he’s filtered with the idea of moving into coaching and his agent Mike Makaab confirmed to iDiski Times that would be his next career step.

When asked whether this is the last season of his professional career, Zwane remained coy but stated the club will back him in his ambitions for the future.

“I talk to each and every player because we want to help them, Bernard… he knows he will never play football forever,” Zwane said in response to iDiski Times in the post-match press conference on Sunday evening.

Remember, iDiski Times is back in the stores. You can grab your FREE COPY at a Shoprite store near you in Gauteng. This week, we have interviews with Pavol Safranko, Thandani ‘Bibo’ Ntshumayelo and Miguel Timm. The FREE ONLINE VERSION will be available on our website every Friday, the first one on 13 May.

  “Yes he has hinted that he wants to take up coaching and I’ve advised applying for coaching courses, there are opportunities left right and centre. I told him he can go to Ireland as well, that’s where I got my coaching license.

“He can also get help from SAFA because CAF, I think now will allow coaches because Covid [regulations] now, things are getting better. So yeah we’ll try and help Bernard if he wants to do coaching – most definitely he’ll help him.

“We need more people who are influential and people who could lead by example. He’s never been troublesome, he’s always been disciplined and yes tomorrow if he becomes a coach – he will be a good leader.”

Parker has scored 68 goals and registered 37 assists in his time at the club and is the third-highest scorer in Bafana Bafana history with 23 goals in 72 caps.

Story: Lorenz Kohler.

Zwane Explains Pre-Match Hug With Komphela