The life of a football coach is an interesting one. One moment you are adored and the next you are endangered.
Shakes Mashaba, Steve Komphela, Stuart Baxter, Pitso Mosimane, Gavin Hunt, Cavin Johnson, Dan Malesela and the rest of the PSL coaches can attest to this.
When things go wrong, coaches are blamed. It’s a natural thing.
However, the success or failure of a football team rests on more than just one individual.
Let’s take Kaizer Chiefs for example.
I was shocked that after just two matches, losses to Wits and Cape Town City FC that people were calling for the head of Komphela. The man has just assembled his own team... I think they need close to 15 games to prove themselves.
To some extent it’s understandable for people to be expecting Komphela and his men to be performing miracles because Chiefs are a big team.
Last season was disappointing, so when fans see signs of poor performances they press the panic button. Komphela has to be brave and ring the changes. Some players were below-par last season.
He should be brave enough and bench the likes of Bernard Parker, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Tsepo Masilela, Edward Manqele and others who feel their names are part of the teamsheet template.
Sadly, when results are not favouring the team, the coach will bite the dust and the same off-form players will remain at the club.
To save his skin, Komphela should do the unusual and unthinkable. I have no doubt that Komphela has studied a number of successful sportsmen, coaches, entrepreneurs and companies, who all have one thing in common: They break the rules and defy the odds.
They swim against the tide and they take the road less travelled and make unpopular decisions.
Over recent seasons Chiefs players have dropped their standards and it’s time for Komphela to drop some players. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Komphela to call the fearless Dan Malesela, the Chippa United coach. Malesela should be a case study for many PSL coaches. Malesela, a man who believes in playing to the strength of South African footballers, has transformed Chippa United into a force. He believes that players have to play to the best of their ability using their own natural skill instead of being stifled by “strange tactics”.
Many footballers in the PSL are lacking in creativity and won’t take risks. They don’t want to make mistakes. They are conditioned to operate in a certain way. Malesela is against this. He gives his players a chance to express themselves while playing to the gallery.
That’s what Chiefs are longing for.
On the coaching front, Malesela is such a breath of fresh air. Komphela can use some of that air. Give Dan a call Steve. If not, Chiefs might call Dan to bring some fresh air.
@extrastrongsa
The Star