Often labelled as football’s dependable stand-in, Durban City mentor Simo Dladla has grown accustomed to stepping into the dugout when his club needs stability.
But while many view him as a perpetual caretaker coach, the 43-year-old insists there is far more to his journey than temporary appointments.
Speaking to Sowetan, Dladla addressed perceptions surrounding his recurring interim roles, explaining that his position is built on mutual understanding rather than circumstance.
“Yes, people may see me as this guy who’s always a caretaker coach, but what they don’t understand is that when it comes to any employment, there are two parties: the employer and the employee,” he said.
According to Dladla, transparency has been key in his relationship with chairman Farook Kadodia and the club’s board, with all parties aligned on both his current responsibilities and future aspirations.
“I will highlight this clearly so that my employers understand that I’ve got my own ambitions as a person,” he explained. “There’s still a CAF A licence that I need to get, and I also still need to learn a few things.”
The ambitious tactician recently completed his CAF B Licence through Durban City, marking another step in his coaching evolution. For now, he views the interim role as an opportunity — one that allows him to continue growing academically while contributing on the pitch.
“At the moment, I want to upgrade my qualifications, and when you are a head coach, it’s very hard to juggle things like that,” Dladla said. “I’m an interim coach, and the team is going to look for a permanent coach — that’s clear.”
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Dladla’s latest stint in charge came after the club parted ways with promising young coach Sinethemba Badela, making it his second caretaker spell this season. He previously assumed the role in December following the departure of experienced mentor Gavin Hunt.
His return to the technical area has already delivered positive results. Last Friday, Durban City secured a convincing 2–0 home league victory over TS Galaxy, offering early encouragement as the team looks to regain momentum.
Attention now shifts to knockout football, with Durban City preparing for a Nedbank Cup Round of 16 encounter against second-tier side Upington FC on Saturday — a fixture Dladla insists will demand full concentration.
“Upington have experienced players like Katlego Maphathe and Shaun Ledwaba, so we can’t underestimate them,” he cautioned.
For Dladla, the present may be temporary, but the purpose is permanent: continue learning, continue growing, and ensure that whenever duty calls, he is ready to lead.