TS Galaxy chief says Bernard Parker can return after ‘coincidental’ departure

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi says Bernard Parker remains welcome at the club and insists the former coach’s departure was not connected to public scrutiny of his private life.

Sukazi announced last month on Ikwekwezi FM that The Rockets were restructuring their technical team. Reports later linked Bosnian coach Admir Azem with the vacant role.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport on Thursday, Sukazi said the timing of Parker’s exit and the discussion about his personal circumstances had been coincidental.

“No, as a club, of course, we’re also quite surprised when we saw the long statement coming from his social media account, you know, but then you’d understand that clubs and employers in general don’t really get too involved in people’s personal affairs. You see and hear of them as and when they happen, you know,” said Sukazi.

He said Parker should focus on resolving any personal difficulties before returning to football, should he currently be outside the game.

“So, yeah, all we could say is to the extent that there are any challenges with his personal life, I think he’s a man, he should find a way to resolve it and, you know, so that he could come back to football if he’s not within football.

“You know, we want Bernard Parker to live within the game of football. He’s a legend to our country. He’s accomplished a lot and has done a lot for our country. So we would always be pleased to see him within the game of football. And as I’ve said to him, he knows it, the TS Galaxy platform has always been there for him and, yeah, opportunities would always be there. We would always try to retain him just in the interest of South African football.”

Parker, a former Bafana Bafana striker, also told Sukazi before leaving that he intended to continue his coaching education by working towards further coaching badges abroad.

Sukazi said the club had tried to retain Parker by offering him a different role within its football structure. He was offered the position of reserve league coach, while Esau Mtsweni was promoted to become an assistant coach with the senior team.

Mtsweni was in charge of TS Galaxy for their match against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday night.

The chairman’s comments clarify that Parker’s departure formed part of changes to the club’s technical set-up rather than being a response to matters outside football. Sukazi also reiterated that the club would continue to make opportunities available to Parker because of his contribution to South African football and his standing as a national legend.