Richards Bay appoint Dimitar Pantev as new head coach

Richards Bay have confirmed the appointment of Dimitar Pantev as their new coach on a one-year contract, with the option to extend his stay.

The Betway Premiership club announced the move on Monday, confirming Pantev’s arrival after Ronnie Gabriel resigned last Thursday following a run of results that failed to meet expectations.

Pantev takes charge with Richards Bay still searching for their first league victory of the season. The Natal Rich Boys are third from bottom of the table with three points from seven matches, level with 15th-placed Marumo Gallants.

The KwaZulu-Natal club have also conceded more goals than any other team in the division. Their defence has been breached 16 times so far this season, leaving Pantev with the immediate task of improving the side’s record at both ends of the pitch.

The 50-year-old has been linked with coaching opportunities elsewhere in the Betway Premiership, including the position at Marumo Gallants. That role has since been taken by Ronnie Kananelo.

Pantev arrives with experience of working at Tanzanian club Simba SC, as well as in Botswana with Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United.

His appointment was first reported by iDiski Times last week before Richards Bay formally confirmed the change in the dugout.