Eric Tinkler is a leading candidate for the vacant head coach position at Durban City FC. The club dismissed Khalil Ben Youssef on Saturday after a league start that yielded just one win from seven matches, leaving the team 10th in the Premier Soccer League with seven points. The team's overall stats show a concerning lack of goals, having scored only 5 times in those 7 league matches, while conceding 9. This leaves them with a negative goal difference of -4, a key factor in their lowly position in the standings.
Tinkler became available after requesting an immediate release from his contract with Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko for personal reasons on Monday. The club's board agreed to his request. "The Board of Directors of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has agreed to the request of its Head Coach, Mr." Asante Kotoko said. They added that they were "grateful to Coach Tinkler for his professionalism and commitment." The swift nature of his departure from Kotoko has accelerated Durban City's search, as they aim to have a new manager in place before their next fixtures, which include a tough domestic match against third-placed AmaZulu on 16 October.
The search for a successor
Tinkler is not the only name under consideration. Alexander Latiffe is also part of the process, while Ernst Middendorp, who served as a consultant during Ben Youssef's tenure, has also emerged as a candidate. The 56-year-old Tinkler had been linked with the Durban City job before Ben Youssef's appointment in June. The club's management is conducting a thorough review of all candidates, with a focus on their tactical philosophy and ability to improve the team's offensive output, which has been a clear weakness this season.
Ben Youssef's departure follows a domestic record of one win, four draws and two losses. He did guide the team through the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, beating Rukinzo 3-1 on aggregate. The club's next domestic match is against third-placed AmaZulu on 16 October, giving the new management a tough start. Beyond that immediate challenge, the new coach will need to quickly assess the full squad and manage any existing injuries to prepare for the resumption of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Continental requirement
A key factor in the appointment is the need for a coach with the appropriate CAF qualification to lead the team in the continental competition, which remains active. The club's recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five matches across all competitions. The search is underway with the aim of having a new manager in place before the team returns to action next month. The club's leadership has emphasized that the ideal candidate must not only possess the required continental license but also demonstrate a clear plan to move the team up the league table and achieve better results in both domestic and international competitions.
Background and full detail: Cape Argus
