Former Marumo Gallants head coach Dylan Kerr has questioned the lack of recognition for his efforts in the South African football coaching landscape.
Kerr has built a reputation as a coach that seemingly specializes in helping teams avoid relegation.
The English native is normally brought in by PSL clubs when they are in relegation danger, as evidenced by spells at Black Leopards, Baroka, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Moroka Swallows.
READ | Kerr: I bet Folz got his work permit within a week
Perhaps if it was not for the CAF Confederation Cup run, that saw Gallants reach the semi-finals, the former Leeds United defender would have had enough to help Bahlabane Ba Ntwa survive the drop, after they were relegated in the last game of 2022/23.
"This had nothing to do with anything because it was factors outside of the game that contributed to losing the semi-final and PSL status. It was something, up until those last two games, I was very proud of," notes Kerr, in an exclusive interview with KickOff.
The well-travelled coach says he does not want to be recognized for saving teams from relegation, though he though each of those experiences was "amazing and the fans appreciated the football which was played".
Instead, he wants to be remembered for the contribution he has made on the lives of players who were not known and went on to establish themselves.
"If you look at the history, I've been in these clubs in South Africa, you look at the players that were at the bottom of the league, relegation certainties, and then moved to better, bigger teams, they are now international footballers. That never gets recognized," he says.
"Ismael Toure, Fawaaz Basadien, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Miguel Timm, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Phathutshedzo Nange, Dillan Solomons, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Monnapule Saleng, Lesedi Kapinga, Evidence Makgopa, Nhlanhla Mgaga, Khuliso Mudau, Lesiba Nku, George Matlou, Ranga Chivaviro and Grant Margeman, just to name a few.
"All that gets recognized is that I save teams. I don't just save teams, I promote players. I give youngsters opportunities or I get involved in the communities, I get involved with projects," Kerr continues.
"I do things, you know, not many other football coaches do. No other football coach goes to a rural area in Seshego and then drives four hours to Giyani, Thohoyandou, to watch tournaments.
"No coaches would go to Soweto, watch a game and go and have a drink with football parents, grandparents and gogos, sit and listen to 80, 70, 60-year-olds talk about their lives, their children and grandchildren and the community and sit and watch football with them."
As for which part of the country his next job will land Kerr in remains anyone's guess.