Cape Town - Assistant-coaches go about their work quietly in the background, which offers them a unique perspective of what goes on around them.
Cape Town City’s success has been built around a hardworking squad of footballers, guided by the tactical brilliance and superb man-management skill of head coach Eric Tinkler. City’s assistant-coach Ian Taylor is, therefore, in the perfect position to reflect on the team’s success.
The Telkom Knockout celebrations are already a thing of the past because City are back in action this week, with two crucial home league games. Tonight, they host Platinum Stars at the Athlone Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) and, on Friday, they are again at home, this time at Cape Town Stadium, to face SuperSport United (kick-off 6pm). Currently top of the PSL standings, City have it all to do this week if they are to retain their position at the summit.
John Comitis celebrates with the Telkom Knockout trophy. Picture: SYDNEY MAHLANGU, BACKPAGEPIX
“Luckily for us there hasn’t really been time to celebrate, it’s just a case of getting back to business,” said Taylor. “It’ another big week, with the two home games coming up and we are at a bit of an advantage, especially with regard to Friday’s game against SuperSport. They’ll be well rested. They were supposed to play Sundowns in midweek, but that game’s off. So they’ll be fresh when they arrive to play us on Friday.
“The most important thing for Eric and I to consider this week is about who to play and who to rest. There are a quite a few players who have been playing regularly and it’s perhaps time to give some of them a break. Obviously, we still want to send out the strongest team possible, so it’s important that we think carefully and get it right in terms of our combinations.”
Players show their elation after Cape Town City beat Supersport United in the Telkom Knockout Final.
On the back of his magnificent work at City this season, Tinkler has emerged as the most talked-about coach. The plaudits have come pouring in - and there’s no doubt the 46-year-old former Bafana Bafana midfielder has a bright career ahead in the coaching field.
“Eric was a hard worker as a player, and he’s a hard worker as a coach,” said Taylor. “He’s come in at City, rolled up his sleeves, and got on with the job. I can honestly say that he is one of the better coaches I have worked with over the years. His planning, preparation and attention to detail are his great strengths. In addition, the relationship he has been able to build with the players has been just as vital.
The thing about Eric as a coach is that, when it comes to players, he doesn’t care about the past. He looks at what they have to offer now. He gives them opportunities to redeem themselves and that has transformed the careers of quite a few players at City.
“Eric has his philosophy of the game, the way he approaches things, and he sticks to it. He’s still a young coach and I think at City he can become the coach he wants to be."
@extrastrongsa