Eric Toddler. The intern. These are just some of the names disgruntled Orlando Pirates fans mocked Eric Tinkler with when their ship hit troubled waters. Despite leading the club to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, Tinkler wasn’t universally liked by the Ghost.
I have to admit that I also thought that he wasn’t cut out for the Pirates job. That’s partly because this post just landed on his lap, unlike other South African coaches who’ve had to move mountains before they could be considered by the big three clubs.
He was brought into the club to serve as the assistant to Roger de Sa, a role he had played at Bidvest Wits while also leading the club’s development structures. Tinkler was the obvious choice to lead Pirates in the interim after De Sa resigned in February two years ago.
Vladimir Vermezovic came and Tinkler returned to being the second in charge. Pirates finished 2014 like they started it, with a coach resigning after the Serbian also called it quits. Tinkler once again had to take over.
CIty boss Eric Tinkler
He bought himself time when the Buccaneers reached the group stage of the 2015 Confederation Cup in June. That put Pirates in an awkward position because they couldn’t bring a new man halfway through the continental competition even though it was just before the start of the new domestic season.
Tinkler continued being in charge as the Buccaneers marched to the final before losing to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel. That was the highlight of Tinkler’s time at Pirates.
The club struggled to finish in the top three which would have seen them return to continental football this year. He wasn’t even technically fired at Pirates. They just hired Muhsin Ertugral at the start of this campaign.
Tinkler went to the Mother City where Mpumalanga Black Aces were transformed to Cape Town City. Tinkler inherited a potent attack but had to build the defence from scratch. Tshepo Gumede, whose career dimmed at Pirates, along with the wandering Robyn Johannes were roped in. As did Thamsanqa Mkhize, who was a Pirates player for two minutes.
Cape Town City are flying
But the biggest revelation has been Thato Mokeke. His talent was never in doubt but he never reached his full potential because of injuries and not being given a starring role.
It’s the same thing with Tinkler. He proved himself with the job he did at the Clever Boys’ academy in terms of how to build. But he was never fully in charge. He has that at City and the results are speaking for themselves.
He is making a lot of people eat humble pie. A friend of mine described City as a rehab, where careers that look headed for death are revived. And Tinkler is just what the doctor ordered.
@extrastrongsa