Continuous Coaching Changes Costing Chippa

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Chippa United’s chopping and changing of coaches is not bringing the desired results for the Eastern Cape-based Premier League side, writes DUMEZWENI NDUWENI

Chippa United’s chopping and changing of coaches is not bringing the desired results for the Eastern Cape-based Premier League side. The team is currently languishing in 15th position in the league, with just 26 points, separated by only two points by bottom place Maritzburg United team, which has collected 24 points. Football is a result-driven sport and is now a lucrative business. The life of a football coach is now linked to the bottom line of the club, which is making money and good performances on the football field.

A man that lives by the mantra ‘shape up or ship out’ is Chippa United’s Chairman Siviwe Mpengesi known in football circles as Chippa. The businessman is not one to be afraid of making coaching changes, the hiring and firing of coaches in the club have no equal within the PSL. Chippa United’s interim coach is the fourth coach in this campaign as three coaches have been let go before him.

These constant coaching changes in the club have produced instability, lack of progress and confusion for players as they have to constantly learn and unlearn different coaching philosophies and styles of play. There is no continuity at the club, there is no foundation which is affecting the football side of the club. The results are proof that too many changes in short spaces are doing more harm than good.

The tale of Chippa’s season is similar to that of English Premiership side Chelsea. The London club has hired Frank Lampard for the remainder of the season, he is the fourth in this campaign, he replaced the caretaker manager, Bruno Saltor who took over after Graham Potter was sacked, who had previously replaced Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea has not been consistent as well, and at an unfamiliar position in the league which is 11^th.

The Chilli Boys started the 2022/2023 PSL season with former Orlando Pirates player Daine Klate as the head coach. This was Klate’s first top PSL coaching position. Klate before he was given the opportunity was working with the junior side of the club and he was promoted to the top job with the senior side. Klate was relieved from his duties after seven games. Under him, the club only won one game, lost four games and drew two games. He managed to collect five points in the process.

That was enough for Chippa to let Klate go and look for another coach to bring in the desired results. Morgan Mammila was given the coaching opportunity, which was also his first-ever stint as a head coach in the top division of South Africa, he is a seasoned football administrator and was tasked with helping Chippa collect points.

Morgan was in charge for 14 games, which he started pretty well, winning four games in a row, a first for a Chippa United coach ever. His record involved five wins, five losses and four draws. Morgan was the next coach to be sacked.

The club roped in a man familiar with the club both as a player and in the technical team, Kurt Lentjies was back in the hot seat at Chippa. He also did not last long as he was demoted to the junior side, after losing to Pirates at home. Lentjies was involved in five games, he was able to win only one, lost two and drew two games. He was replaced by another man who knows the club very well Siyabulela Gwambi.

He is tasked with avoiding relegation and ending the season without relegation playoffs or automatic relegation. He started on a bad note losing 3-1 away to Marumo Gallants last night 12 April 2023, making his objective a bit tricky with only a few games left, four to be precise for Chippa. What is bad news for Chippa is that 16th-place Maritzburg United has a game in hand, and trailing the Eastern Cape side by only two points.

If we are looking for positives in what Chippa Mpengesi is doing at Chippa, no one can argue against the fact the club gives local coaches opportunities at the top level. Mpengesi is not afraid to give young and inexperienced coaches a shot, however, the expectations are high. Bring in results or you are fired.