Soweto Derby: Baxter and Riveiro lead PSL’s coaching winners

The Soweto Derby has produced a clear group of coaching specialists since the Premier Soccer League era began in 1996/97, with Stuart Baxter and Jose Riveiro sharing the record for most victories with five each.

For Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz, his first meeting with Orlando Pirates offers an immediate opportunity to become popular with the Amakhosi supporters. Victory in one of South African football’s most demanding fixtures can significantly shape a manager’s relationship with a club’s fans.

Although league titles and trophies remain important measures of success, the result of a Soweto Derby carries particular weight. The following coaches have enjoyed the greatest number of victories in the fixture during the PSL era.

Baxter and Riveiro share top spot

Former Kaizer Chiefs manager Stuart Baxter recorded five derby wins across two spells at Naturena.

The Scot won three matches during his first period in charge and added two more after returning to the club. That made him the benchmark for success in the fixture, with his total standing as the highest achieved by a coach until Orlando Pirates manager Jose Riveiro equalled it in 2025.

Riveiro reached five victories during his three-year spell with Pirates. His record was completed when the Buccaneers beat Chiefs 2-1 in the Betway Premiership in May 2025.

Glody Lilepo put Chiefs ahead early, but Evidence Makgopa restored parity before Relebohile Mofokeng scored the winning goal for Pirates.

The Spaniard’s achievement was notable because he lost his first two Soweto Derbies before changing the course of the rivalry.

Middendorp next on four

Ernst Middendorp is third on the list, having won four derbies during two spells as a Chiefs coach.

The German recorded two victories in the 2005/06 season and repeated that total during his return in 2019/20. His record reflects the difficulty of maintaining control in a fixture where league form and position can be overshadowed by the pressure of derby day.

Muhsin Ertugral and Vladimir Vermezovic are next, with three wins apiece for Chiefs.

Ertugral, the Turkish coach, built competitive Chiefs teams and secured repeated victories over Pirates. Vermezovic, a Serbian coach, also converted his time at Naturena into three derby successes.

Pirates provide two more names

Pirates have two representatives in the three-win group. Ruud Krol and Milutin Sredojevic, widely known as Micho, each won three Soweto Derbies while managing the Buccaneers.

Their records show that success in the fixture has not been exclusive to Chiefs coaches, despite Baxter previously holding the outright PSL-era record before Riveiro matched him.

Baxter and Riveiro therefore lead on five wins, followed by Middendorp on four. Ertugral, Vermezovic, Krol and Sredojevic are level on three.

The figures also underline how difficult it is for any coach to dominate the derby over a sustained period. For supporters of both clubs, victories against their biggest rivals form an important part of a manager’s legacy alongside silverware.