With Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates benches all occupied by foreign coaches, is there a local coach, capable to break the cycle at the big clubs in the near future?
Even though there are 12 coaches currently in charge of other PSL sides, the quick rate at which Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi left Sundowns has opened a huge vacuum, in terms of capable coaches who could be given the responsibility at the big three clubs.
The likes of Dan Malesela, even though his philosophy has been applauded in public, has been around the block for a long time and to be given an opportunity at either Masandawana, Pirates or Chiefs seems far off.
SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has previously stated that if he were to be given another chance at Amakhosi he would take it.
Hunt was unfortunate during his spell at the Glamour Boys as he arrived during their transfer ban in 2020 and worse, during the Covid-19 pandemic, where fans were not allowed at the stadiums.
READ | The biggest problem at Chiefs revealed?
However, the likes of the Buccaneers and Sundowns would not take a risk on the multiple-league winning coach after his bad spell at Naturena and Chiefs are the only big side, that can decide to give him another chance in future, should they feel his timing in 2020 was off, although it is very unlikely.
Another local coach who has done well is Royal AM mentor John Maduka, however, his ability to produce players has not been accompanied by team success, of finishing higher up the table or winning a trophy.
Speaking about winning a title, Magesi head coach Clinton Larsen should have impressed a number of bosses in the PSL after his unfancied side pulled off a shock of the ages with a win over Masandawana in the Carling Knockout final.
Obviously, The Brazilians would be the last to consider him for a coaching post, should they be in the market in future but Pirates having given local coaches such as Fadlu Davids, Mandla Ncikazi opportunities to sit on the bench in recent years, as their former player, Larsen could have a shout.
Cape Town City head coach Eric Tinkler has already had a chance at Ezimnyama, between 2014 and 2015, both as an assistant and head coach and counting the native tacticians who have the capacity to handle a big team, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder is one of them.
READ | Chiefs star advised to follow Downs' Rayners
Arguably the cream of the crop of local coaches currently is Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker, who won his first trophy at the club in December 2023, the Carling Knockout and has produced top players for these big teams, including the likes of Ashley Du Preez (Chiefs), Junior Mendieta (formerly Sundowns) and Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns).
But can Barker be enticed to leave his Stellenbosch project?
After foreign coaches could not deliver at Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns, the likes of Steve Komphela (at Chiefs from Free State Stars), Mngqithi (from Golden Arrows), Molefi Ntseki (from Bafana Bafana), Arthur Zwane (from development), were lifted into the hot seat at the top sides in the country.