TS Galaxy future remains with chairman as Mtsweni returns to DDC role

TS Galaxy caretaker coach Esau Mtsweni says club chairman Tim Sukazi will decide who takes permanent charge of the first team after Bernard Parker’s departure.

Mtsweni oversaw the Rockets in Tuesday’s Betway Premiership meeting with Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Amstel Arena, but suffered defeat in his first match managing a PSL side.

Orlando Pirates won 3-0, with Boitumelo Radiopane, Tshepang Moremi and Simphiwe Masilela scoring for the Soweto club. The result leaves TS Galaxy with just one league victory this season.

Mtsweni confirmed after the match that he remains responsible for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team and will return to that role while the senior coaching situation is resolved.

“I am an interim coach. That is entirely up to the chairman of the club. I can’t really say I want to be permanent coach or not,” Mtsweni told KickOff.

“As we speak now, I am here and tomorrow I am going back to the DDC. It’s a little bit hectic for now, but the club will decide.”

TS Galaxy are 12th in the Betway Premiership with six points. They must improve their results and collect more points to protect their position in the elite division.

Mtsweni said the players had been told to take time to recover from the loss before beginning preparations for their next fixture.

“I said to them [the players] we need to rest a bit because losing a game is not a good feeling, so I felt they need to go home and rest,” he said.

“We start again after two days so that we can recharge, correct our mistakes and prepare for the next match.”

The Rockets’ next assignment is another demanding fixture against Kaizer Chiefs in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout. The match could take place on 27 October.

Mtsweni’s temporary spell in charge began after TS Galaxy and Parker parted company, leaving Sukazi with the decision over the club’s long-term coaching plans. For now, Mtsweni will continue his work with the DStv Diski Challenge side while the chairman considers the permanent appointment.