City set to announce new coach on Tuesday

Cape Town City boss John Comitis is not letting the grass grow under his feet after the shock departure of coach Eric Tinkler to SuperSport United after a strikingly successful initial season at the re-launched coastal club.

Comitis, who purchased the Premier League franchise from Black Aces, has revealed that he expected to announce the name of a new club by Tuesday after evaluating an extensive list of local and overseas contenders.

“I must admit the desire to introduce a fresh face and ideas into the PSL via an overseas coach,” added the City boss, “particularly after receiving more than 30 applicants from outside SA.”

But, at the same time, Comitis said prominent coaches with experience in the PSL like Gordon Igesund and Muhsin Ertugral, with whom he has worked in the past, would also come under consideration.

“Ultimately we’ll go for the best man for the job,” he added, “whether it is a local coach or one from overseas. But, either way, it’s going to be a quick decision.”

Comitis revealed that Tinkler’s decision to leave City after the club had finished third in the Premier League and won Cup honours had come like a bolt out of the blue in the midst of a three-year contract.

“But the pay-out clause came into effect and we completed negotiations with SuperSport on an amicable basis.”

And with the coaching merry-go-round seemingly going ahead at full speed during what is effectively the PSL off-season, other well-known coaches who might be looking for a new job include sacked Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba and Owen da Gama, who was formerly Mashaba’s assistant, as well as Cavin Johnson who has not been retained by Platinum Stars.