Former Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler set to join Durban City ahead of new season

Former Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler is reportedly on the verge of making a return to the dugout after emerging as the leading candidate to take over at Durban City ahead of the new South African Premiership season.

Per sources, talks between Durban City and Tinkler are at an advanced stage, with an official announcement expected in the coming days as chairman Farouk Kadodia looks to appoint a permanent coach to lead the club forward.

Tinkler has been without a club since parting ways with Sekhukhune United earlier this month after the Limpopo-based side failed to secure a top-three finish in the Betway Premiership. Despite showing flashes of promise during his tenure, the club ultimately decided to make a change following the conclusion of the campaign.

Now, the experienced tactician appears set for another opportunity in South African football with Durban City, who have been searching for stability on the bench since the departure of Sinethemba Badela in January.

Badela left the club following a difficult run of results that placed pressure on the technical team during Durban City’s return season in the top flight after gaining promotion from the National First Division. His exit forced the club hierarchy to place assistant coach Pitso Dladla in temporary charge for the remainder of the campaign.

Dladla, who has served as assistant coach under both Gavin Hunt and Badela this season, stepped into the role on an interim basis and helped guide the team through a challenging period. However, despite earning respect within the club setup, he reportedly made it clear that he was not interested in taking the position permanently.

That development opened the door for Durban City management to intensify their search for a seasoned head coach capable of bringing experience, structure, and stability to the side. Tinkler quickly emerged as a preferred candidate due to his extensive coaching résumé and familiarity with the demands of the PSL.

Over the years, Tinkler has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most experienced coaches, having managed several clubs including Cape Town City FC, Maritzburg United FC, Orlando Pirates FC and Sekhukhune United. His tactical knowledge and ability to organize teams defensively are qualities Durban City are believed to value highly as they seek improvement next season.

The club’s hierarchy reportedly believes Tinkler’s experience could prove crucial in helping Durban City establish themselves more consistently in the Premiership after a difficult campaign marked by inconsistency and managerial uncertainty.

Should the appointment be finalized, Tinkler will face the immediate challenge of rebuilding confidence within the squad while also preparing the team to compete more effectively in what is expected to be another highly competitive Betway Premiership season.

For Durban City, securing a coach of Tinkler’s stature would signal strong ambition from the club as they aim to move beyond survival battles and build a more competitive project capable of challenging established PSL sides.

With negotiations understood to be nearing completion, all indications suggest that Eric Tinkler could soon officially be unveiled as the new man in charge at Durban City.