Former Kaizer Chiefs striker and fan favorite Bernard Parker has publicly accused his long-time agent, Mike Makaab, of dishonesty and neglecting his interests during his acrimonious departure from Amakhosi in 2022.
Parker, who spent 11 successful years at Naturena from 2011 to 2022, ended a 16-year professional relationship with Makaab when his contract with Chiefs expired.
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The current TS Galaxy assistant coach claims the agent failed to provide honest representation, particularly concerning his exit and subsequent move.
Allegations of Silence and False Promises
Speaking on Smash Sports, Parker detailed the frustration and confusion surrounding his final months at Chiefs. He alleges that Makaab knew the club was preparing to cut ties with him but remained silent, allowing Parker to hold onto false hope.
Parker recounted his personal attempts to secure his future: “I reiterated to the chairman my willingness to give back to the club in whichever way, and I was told that I would get a call in a month. The call didn’t come.” When he pushed again, he was eventually directed to then-coach Molefi Ntseki, an interaction that ultimately went nowhere.
Parker was particularly hurt by the lack of directness, stating: “I’ve been with him for 16 years at that point, so I just wanted him to talk to me straight.”
He claims he was told the club couldn’t afford him, to which he offered a stark rebuttal: “I don’t want money, I just want to play, and nobody mentioned anything about personal terms.”
Sabotaged Move to SuperSport United
The former Bafana Bafana international further slammed Makaab for allegedly dragging his feet when it came to finding him a new club. Parker claims that SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt was actively pushing for his signature, but Makaab’s handling of negotiations was suspect.
“Coach Gavin wanted me and was pushing for me to join the club. I went to Mike Makaab and told him, ‘I heard you put in an offer, can you tell me what’s going on?'” Parker said, suggesting a breakdown in transparency. This frustration ultimately led Parker to ditch Makaab and represent himself, culminating in his move to TS Galaxy.
A Career Controlled by “Business Decisions”
Adding to his grievances, Parker contends that Makaab had previously manipulated his career for financial gain. Having played in Europe for clubs like Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), FC Twente (Netherlands), and Panserraikos (Greece) between 2009 and 2011, Parker claims he was convinced to return to South Africa prematurely.
“Later on, I realised why I was pushed to come back to play for Kaizer Chiefs, it was a business decision,” Parker revealed. He suggests that his move was strategically linked to the agent’s efforts to facilitate a European transfer for fellow client, Knowledge Musona. “Release Musona and we’ll give you Parker,” he theorized was the understanding.
The saga highlights a painful breakdown in trust between one of South African football’s most respected players and a powerful agent.