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Door still open for Papic

Thohoyandou - Following the 'temporary' departure coach Sean Connor, NFD side Black Leopards chairman David Thidiela has said that only former mentor Kostadin Papic would be given his job back if he should consider rejoining Lidoda duvha midway through the season, should Connor decide not to return to South Africa.

Thidiela confirmed that the Irish-born tactician has returned to his home country to sort out issues relating to his work permit and will definitely return to the Limpopo-based outfit to continue with his reign.

Leopards assistant coach Joel Masutha will be acting as a caretaker coach until the 47-year-old returns.

"We would like to confirm that (Sean) Connor will be heading back to Ireland to sort out his work permit issues as required by law," said Thidiela.

"In the meantime, Joel Masutha will be acting as head coach and he will be assisted by Solly Luvhengo.

Thidiela also hinted that Connor must return as soon as possible if he still wants to occupy their hot seat but will not be reinstated if he decides to re-join Leopards in the middle of the 2014/15 campaign.

"If Connor doesn’t return now we will move on as a team.

"However, if he returns in the middle of the season, we won’t take him back because it will be another process to help him settle and it will take us as a team backwards."

Thidiela then went onto say that he will only consider re-hiring Papic although it might be midway through the season because the Serbian knows the club and players well, having worked with them last season.

"The only person we might consider re-hiring if he decides to come back will be Kosta Papic.

"Even if it’s in the midway through we will because he was with us last season.

"He knows the club and the players very well but for now our focus is to do well in the league as we aim to return to the PSL."

Papic is currently at the helm of the PSL strugglers Polokwane City but he is also yet to take his place on the bench due to his work permit issues.

Leopards are currently 10th on the NFD log after collecting five points from the five games played.

Their next game will be away to Vasco Da Gama in Parow on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 15:30.


 

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