In a surprising turn of events, former Lamontville Golden Arrows coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Richards Bay FC have reportedly parted ways despite agreeing to a new contract recently.
The club recently landed a sponsorship deal worth R100 million with Phakwe Gas last month. Thabiso Tenyane who is the company’s CEO hinted that the club is looking to bring in an experienced coach and technical team.
Vilakazi assisted the club to retain their spot in the top-flight league during the promotion/relegation play-offs after a disastrous season that saw them finishing second from the bottom.
Bay were rumoured to have tried to bring in Rulani Mokwena following his sudden departure from Sundowns but that fell through after he signed with Moroccan giants Wydad AC.
Here are five free-agent coaches that can take over the helm at Richards Bay FC:
Pitso Mosimane
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly head coach parted ways with Saudi side Abha Club after failing to save them from relegation from the Sudi Pro League. Mosimane was heavily linked with Kaizer Chiefs but has remained a free agent following Chiefs’ announcement of Nasreddine Nabi as their new head coach.
The 60-year-old coach is one of the most decorated South African managers having won four domestic league trophies during his spell at Sundowns, two Nedbank Cups and two Telkom Knockout Cups. He is also a three-time CAF Champions League winner and in 2023 he managed to get Al-Ahli promoted into the Saudi Pro League.
Benni McCarthy
Benni was recently released by Manchester United following the end of his contract with the English Premier League giants. His future remains uncertain as he has not been linked with any club.
The former Bafana Bafana striker’s managerial career took off on a high note when he led Cape Town City to lift their first trophy in the 2018-19 season where they were crowned the MTN8 champions.
McCarthy is no stranger to KZN teams as he previously coached AmaZulu. He was appointed as the head coach of Usuthu on 14 December 2020, he led them to a second-place finish where they qualified for the CAF Champions League. Benni’s impressive spell earned him a Coach of the Season Award.
Lehlohonolo Seema
Seema was instrumental in securing a top-eight finish for Sekhukhune United despite being placed on ‘special leave’ towards the end of the season. Babina Noko has gone on to hire a German tactician Peter Hyballa to take over the reins.
In the 21 matches that the 44-year-old was in charge of Sekhukhune, he managed to win eight matches, nine ended in stalemates and he suffered four defeats.
Cavin Johnson
Despite his unsuccessful spell at Kaizer Chiefs which saw the club finish tenth on the log having played 22 matches, losing 9, seven ending in a draw and winning six under him, he is an experienced coach and one of the few South Africans who hold a UEFA Pro Licence.
Taking over as the head coach of the KZN team would give him a chance at redemption and another opportunity to use the knowledge that he gained in Egypt while he was the assistant coach of Mosimane at Al Ahly. He has coached a number of PSL teams including AmaZulu, Platinum Stars and SuperSport United.
Bradley Carnell
Carnell parted ways with Major League Soccer Club Saint Louis City SC on 1 July after managing the club from January 2022. He finished as the Western Conference Regular-Season champions in their inaugural campaign.
The 47-year-old is currently without a club, he holds a UEFA B Licence and is no stranger to South African football having served in assistant coach positions for Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates before departing to the United States of America to join New York Red Bulls as an assistant coach.
He would be a great addition to Jomo Biyela’s club. The chairman has shared his ambitions of seeing the club finish in the top half of the log this season.
Carnell’s decade-long experience as a coach and a seasoned defender during his days as a player would assist Bay solve their defensive woes which saw them concede 37 league goals last season.
Written by Siphesihle Soni