Durban City boss Ben Youssef under pressure after winless start

Pressure is building on Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef after the club failed to win any of their opening three matches of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.

The Tunisian manager has overseen two draws and one defeat since taking charge, leaving Durban City 12th in the league table and increasing scrutiny from within the club.

Ben Youssef was appointed during the off-season after departing Kaizer Chiefs, where he worked alongside Cedric Kaze in a co-coaching role. He succeeded Pitso Dladla, who spent most of the previous campaign as Durban City’s caretaker coach.

Dladla guided the KwaZulu-Natal club to the Nedbank Cup and an eighth-place finish in the Betway Premiership. That league position secured Durban City a place in the MTN8, where they were drawn against defending champions Orlando Pirates in the quarter-finals.

Durban City lost that tie 2-1 after extra time, but their slow league start is understood to be the more immediate concern for the club’s management.

The Siya crew has been informed that the early results have led to increased questioning of Ben Youssef’s position, with senior figures at the club understood to be seeking a rapid improvement in performances and results.

The 37-year-old remains relatively early into his tenure and is not believed to be facing an immediate change. He has an agreed assessment period with the club, including a review after 15 matches and a points target that forms part of the arrangement.

Ben Youssef disclosed that agreement after the MTN8 defeat by Orlando Pirates, explaining that he and the board had decided to carry out a formal evaluation once he had reached the 15-match mark.

He also acknowledged the uncertainty attached to coaching, noting that managers must always be prepared for the possibility that their circumstances can change.

That review is still some distance away, but the team’s current form means pressure may intensify before the agreed assessment takes place. The upcoming fixtures are therefore taking on added significance, with Durban City needing results to prevent further doubts over their coach’s future.

For now, Ben Youssef remains in charge. The season is still at an early stage and there is sufficient time for Durban City to recover, but the absence of a league victory from their first three games has created an unwanted sense of urgency.

The club will hope that a turnaround can begin quickly and that improved results will ease the concern surrounding the head coach. Ben Youssef, meanwhile, will be aware that winning matches remains the clearest way to quieten questions about his position.

The next run of fixtures will provide the first indication of whether Durban City can respond under their new manager or whether the pressure around Ben Youssef will continue to grow.

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