What becomes of experienced coaches?

Johannesburg - The appointment of Fadlu Davids as Maritzburg United coach means that the recycling of coaches in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is slowly coming to an end as new faces enter the market.

But what will happen to the growing list of unemployed mentors?

Davids joins Benni McCarthy as a newcomer to coaching, although he has assumed the role before on an interim basis.

No longer interested

New Platinum Stars coach Peter Butler also takes up his post, having had no previous PSL experience. Formerly the head coach of Botswana’s national team, Butler joined Stars after signing a two-year deal.

Polokwane City and two Free State clubs – Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars – do not have permanent coaches, and the usual suspects will be waiting for a call.

Lehlohonolo Seema has been running the show at Celtic in the absence of coach Luc Eymael, who is currently sorting out his contractual issues with Polokwane City. Celtic is rumoured to no longer be interested in Eymael’s services.

Free State Stars have just parted ways with Serame Letsoaka, who joins the ranks of the country’s unemployed coaches.

Black Leopards coach Jean Luscuito has been tipped to be his replacement, but he is yet to confirm this.

Letsoaka said his management agency was working on where he would go next.

Taking time off

Polokwane City chairperson Johnny Mogaladi has made it clear that he wants caretaker coach Bernard Molekwa to continue with the job. Molekwa oversaw City’s final 11 games after the sudden resignation of Eymael in March.

Roger De Sá, whose last job was coaching Maritzburg United, told City Press that he was ready to bounce back after he took time off from football. Having resigned from United in March, De Sá returned to Cape Town, citing “family reasons”, but has recently expressed his readiness to return to football.

“It would be good to get back after taking some time off. So, yes, I am looking,” said De Sá, who has been linked with a Bafana Bafana assistant coaching job.

Another mentor who is on the market is Cavin Johnson, who parted ways with Platinum Stars after the club decided not to renew his contract.

And former Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is also idle after losing his job at Highlands Park.

Technical director

The other usual suspects – Muhsin Ertugral and Ernst Middendorp – may not be in the country, but they will also be hovering, ready to pounce if there is an opening.

Ertugral surprisingly resigned from Orlando Pirates on live television in November, following a humiliating 6-1 defeat against SuperSport United, and has since been without a job.

In March, he tweeted that he was leaving this country to continue his career in Europe.

Middendorp is in Thailand, working as a technical director of Bangkok United.

For now, all eyes will be on McCarthy and Davids to see how they swim with the sharks when the season starts next month.