Johannesburg - Mpumalanga Black Aces have moved quickly to replace sacked coach Neil Tovey with Paul Dolezar taking over the position.

The former Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic boss was appointed on Thursday afternoon as the club were determined to fill the vacancy ahead of the new year.

A statement on the club's official website revealed: 'Dolezar was nearly appointed the head coach before, but was then not immediately available. He has also impressed the directors and management with his "business plan" on Aces.'

The club's CEO, Mark Grune said: "We now have our very own Sir Alex!". That is how high Paul Dolezar is rated.

"He is highly recommended and has all the attributes to coach Aces. He also understands the clubs mandate - that being to move Aces away from the relegation zone.

"He will start immediately and will meet all the players tomorrow."

Dolezar first came to South Africa when Kaizer Motaung scouted him to coach Chiefs for two seasons. In the 1997/98 season he took Amakhosi ended league runners-up and won the Rothmans Cup. In 1998/99 season he again won the Rothmans Cup, Iwisa Charity Cup and was league runner-up.

He then moved to Sundowns where he again proved to be a winner by annexing the Rothmans Cup and winning the PSL Castle League.

At Bloemfontein Celtic he again won the SAA Supa8 in 2005.