Johannesburg - After a successful career as a striker for the likes of Cape Town Spurs, Charlton Athletic, Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana, Shaun Bartlett gets his first shot at managing a top-flight club in South Africa.
Bartlett was announced as the University of Pretoria’s new head coach last week, the first time he will get to coach in the PSL, following last season’s NFD title win at Golden Arrows. The 43-year-old is now looking to help revive the fortunes of relegation-threatened AmaTuks.
He is also hoping to tap into the club’s youth development resources, which have in the past yielded household names Andile Jali, Bongani Khumalo, George Maluleka, Lerato Chabangu, Clifford Mulenga and Mthokozisi Yende, amongst many others.
In an interview with PSL.co.za, Bartlett explained why the job at Tuks was the right one for him. “It was all about the timing, there were a few other opportunities in the last six months, I had a good look at a few clubs, but when the Tuks job came, I felt it was the right club for me, no matter what people were saying about the team struggling and it being a difficult job.
“The key is the speed at which we can catch up, it’s all about getting the three points in every game.”
Bartlett’s first game in charge ended in a 2-0 loss away at Platinum Stars. “We need to work on the organisational side of things,” he said. “We were not outplayed, but two mistakes led to two goals conceded and cost us the game.”
Bartlett believes that technique and man-management are the most important aspects when it comes to coaching a team.
Asked if he would be trying to copy anything from his former managers, Bartlett said: “I like to take different elements from the different managers I worked under.
“To copy the good, and not to repeat the bad.”
ANA