New Chippa United coach Daine Klate said he took the coaching position as he felt up to the challenge of bringing success to the club.
The Chilli Boys’ owner Siviwe Mpengesi has a reputation for hiring and firing coaches if the results are not positive.
In an interview with Media, Klate was asked why he elected to take on the challenge of becoming the Chippa coach, to which he replied: “That’s the same question they asked me when I moved away from SuperSport United to Orlando Pirates; it’s a challenge and somebody has to coach the team.
“The team will never be without a coach, I’m a local boy so I’m not packing any bags. My wardrobe is packed at home, I won’t pack any when I get fired. I’ve got nothing to lose, I’ve got everything to gain, I’ve got to learn,” Klate said.
The 37-year-old Klate, who retired from playing three years ago, admits he was surprised by how fast he has become a head coach in the DStv Premiership.
“It’s surreal, three years since I retired and here I am today. I didn’t expect it, to be honest; I thought I was still learning and enjoying myself at the Diski,” Klate said.
Klate impressed club owner Mpengesi when he got a promotion in the DStv Diski Challenge for the Chippa United development side and was then appointed first-team coach not too long afterward.
“I think with the first team, it’s a completely new challenge. I have realized it’s result-oriented, it’s not about development,” Klate added.
“You have to get a point or three points, it’s very much result-oriented. It’s completely different from Diski Challenge and I completely understand. If the results are not coming then it’s a concern. So we have to focus from the first game, one result at a time and then we move on.”