Cape Town - SuperSport United chief executive officer Stanley Matthews is cautious about getting carried away over the long-term success of Eric Tinkler despite the new coach delivering the MTN8 title over the weekend.
The Tshwane club ended a 13-year wait for their second top-eight crown by edging out Cape Town City 4-2 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1 after extra time.
Although he was delighted with the trophy, Matthews warned that it was too early to get carried away, citing some of the coaches before Tinkler that arrived and delivered immediately, before fading away.
"If you remember when Gordon (Igesund) came, he won a trophy within a couple of months of being at the club and 15 months later he wasn't at the club anymore," the Matsatsantsa CEO said.
"So it's not how you start and Eric knows that. It's about success over a sustained period. But in Eric, we know we've got a coach that has all the attributes to achieve, so we're delighted with what he's done so far."
United now have an opportunity to reach another final when they travel to Tunisia to take on Club Africain in the CAF Confederation Cup this coming Saturday.
Tinkler's side drew the first leg 1-1 in Atteridgeville, and Matthews is hoping they can go on and make history this weekend.
"It will be tough, but we've seen with this group of players that nothing is impossible," he added. "Whatever happens, we'll be happy.