Rollers’ hot seat

Following the departure of former Township Rollers Head Coach, Frank Nuttal many within the football corridors are eagerly waiting to know as to who will replace the Scottish professional football manager.

The club have since issued an advert looking for a Head Coach in possession of at least CAF A License coaching Certificate or its equivalent. Reports are doing round that the BTC Premier league defending champions are now seeking to localise the position, with Security Systems Head Coach Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare reportedly being considered for the job. But both Nare and Township Rollers have denied the link. The Club’s Public Relations Officer, Bafana Pheto has however not ruled out the possibility of localising the post should they found any suitable qualified candidate locally. Pheto hinted that they will not overlook any local coach who may meet the requirements of their desired coach to replace Nuttal.

“There is no truth in reports that we are considering some local coaches but that does not mean we will fail to notice those qualifying for the post when we place an advert,” Pheto told The Patriot Sport in a telephonic interview. 

Popa as affectionately known usually recruits coaches from abroad. Before Nuttal there was Czech Republic National, Thomas Trucha who parted with the team in mid January this year. The club has also also previously appointed among many other foreign coach comprising of Argentine coach, Rodolf Zapata, Serbian national, Nikola Kavazovic and Zimbabwean national Madinda Ndlovu. Interestingly the coaches never lasted at the Mma Masire lads.

The club’s spokesperson said they are currently in a process of finding another coach while also observing the covid-19 situation surrounding the football fraternity in the country. In fact Pheto has explained that the suspension of football activities is the reason why they had to release Nuttal and not extent his contract. His five months contract with the club was coming to an end on the 31^st of May this year with an option for renewal. Pheto revealed that the intention was for them to finish the league and FA CUP with the Scottish Coach whom they brought in mid January this year.

“As things currently stands we do not know the future of our local football and the pandemic has also financially affected everybody so we could not renew his contract and continue paying him when everything is still on a standstill,” Pheto explained.

Meanwhile Pheto has indicated that the technical team headed by Thabo Mahala Motang will in the meantime be in charge of their players while they are still searching for another coach. That as it may, Sports Analyst, Jimmy George has cautioned local coaches to be worried as to how long will they last with Rollers should the club indeed decide to localise the position. This he says is because coaches never last at Popa, criticising that the club has a habit of hiring and firing coaches haphazardly.

“After they parted with Madinda Ndlovu I do not recall any coach who lasted with them for more than one season, Mogomotsi Mpote won them the league and they also released him,”George highlighted.

“What could be happening with Rollers maybe is a disease occurring in many teams with a financial muscle, they have a tendency of developing an arrogance of hiring and firing coaches willy-nilly,” he wondered.SEE ALSO:

George says should that be the case with Rollers it however shows lack of planning and vision in their part, adding that it shows that the club is winning leagues maybe because other teams are not well prepared and resourced as they are. The Sports Analyst rubbished the excuse that there are no local coaches who are capable of heading Township Rollers arguing that there are plenty of former local players who can do the job. George also criticised the club for always hiring foreign coaches something which he says does not help grow local football. His view is that the club should instead groom and develop coaches.

“It is in their best interest to withhold the good image the team has been having and also maintain the subject that they should mirror what a national team should be like, they should be leading in terms of retaining and grooming coaches,” he urged.