Marumo Gallants set to appoint Jozef Vukusic as new head coach

Marumo Gallants are reportedly on the verge of appointing experienced Serbian tactician Jozef Vukusic as their new head coach ahead of the upcoming Betway Premiership season.

The Bloemfontein-based outfit has been searching for a permanent manager following a turbulent campaign that saw multiple changes in the technical department. Vukusic has now emerged as the frontrunner for the position, with reports indicating that an official announcement could be made in the coming days.

Vukusic is currently in South Africa and is believed to be actively seeking a return to coaching in the country’s top flight. The Serbian coach is no stranger to local football, having previously managed both AmaZulu and Polokwane City.

He first gained widespread recognition during his successful spell with Polokwane City seven seasons ago, where he earned praise for his tactical discipline and ability to maximise the potential of his squad. His impressive work in Limpopo established him as one of the respected foreign coaches to have worked in the Premier Soccer League.

Gallants have been without a permanent head coach since the departure of French tactician Alexandre Lafitte. In the meantime, Matome Mthiyane has overseen the team on an interim basis as the club evaluated its options for the future.

The 2025/26 campaign proved to be an emotionally draining one for Gallants, who battled relegation for much of the season. The club eventually finished third from bottom in the league standings, narrowly avoiding a more disastrous outcome.

Before Mthiyane’s appointment, Gallants had turned to Moroccan coach Jamil Benouahi in March in a bid to secure their Premiership status. However, results failed to improve significantly under his leadership, prompting the club to make another change in the dugout.

Mthiyane subsequently stepped in and helped guide the team through the closing stages of the campaign, stabilising the situation and ensuring the club retained its place in the top division.

With the new season fast approaching, Gallants are eager to establish stability and begin preparations under a permanent coach. Vukusic’s experience within South African football and his familiarity with the demands of the PSL make him an attractive candidate for the role.

Should the appointment be confirmed, the Serbian will be tasked with rebuilding confidence within the squad, strengthening key areas of the team, and steering Gallants away from another relegation battle.

The club’s hierarchy believes a fresh start is needed after a difficult season, and Vukusic could be the man entrusted with leading that new era. With an announcement understood to be imminent, Gallants supporters may not have to wait much longer to discover who will guide their team into the next chapter of its Premiership journey.