DURBAN – Doctor Khumalo says he would not mind returning to being an assistant coach despite currently occupying a much senior technical role.
Khumalo is a technical director at Baroka FC whom he joined at the start of the season from Kaizer Chiefs.
With the Limpopo team presently coachless after parting with Kgoloko Thobejane and his replacement McDonald Makhubedu, Khumalo stepped in for the remainder of the season.
Khumalo fllled the interim coach role before at Chiefs, where he mainly served as an assistant. He says he would have no qualms returning to the role.
“I can still work as an assistant coach. From my experience working with Stuart Baxter (at Kaizer Chiefs), I learnt that an assistant coach is also a decision maker. If the head coach fails, it means the whole technical team fails, including an assistant coach,” Khumalo said.
“Stuart always wanted me to have a say. It wasn’t about taking instructions. I’m not an old fashion assistant coach. I’m not a ball boy. Being an assistant is more than that,” said Khumalo who was nicknamed 16V as a player.
With Chiefs having parted with Steve Komphela, there have been murmurs of Khumalo returning to Naturena in his previous role as assistant, to whoever the club appoints next.
While he denies having spoken to Amakhosi, he made it clear he won’t mind going back.
“No one there has contacted me. I respect my position at Baroka. If Chiefs want me they will engage Baroka, and if they don’t have a problem and there’s no bad blood about me moving back to Chiefs, then it is fine.”
“There’s nothing wrong about being an assistant coach. We’ve seen Rulani (Mokwena of Pirates) overruling Micho (Milutin Sredojevic) about a substitution.”
“We’ve also seen Pitso (Mosimane, the head coach of Sundowns) consulting with Manqoba (Mngqithi, his assistant). It is the modern trend. You have to have an input (as an assistant). They also do it in Europe.”
Baroka's Doctor Khumalo in a jovial mood with former Chiefs coach with Steve Komphela. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Elsewhere, Chippa United dribbling wizard Thabo “Jomo” Rakhale is on the radar of Kaizer Chiefs.
Independent Media has been reliably informed that Rakhale, who is on a three-year contract at Chippa, might surface at Amakhosi.
“Chiefs have inquired about Rakhale. The player and his management are waiting for a formal written offer from Chiefs. He is one of the players that Chiefs are looking to sign,” a source stated.
Rakhale spent three seasons at Pirates before moving to Chippa in January.
“Disciplinary problems were among the main reasons why Pirates got rid of him. It wasn’t about his talent. He has learned from his experiences at Pirates,” the source elaborated.
Chiefs are expected to part with the likes of Bhongolwethu Jayiya, William Twala, Edmore Chirambadare, Keagan Buchanan, Brilliant Khuzwayo and Sibusiso Khumalo who all have struggled for game time. The club might loan out youngsters like Emmanuel Letlotlo and Khotso Malope.
Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, the chairman of the Chilli Boys, said he was in a meeting when Independent Media called him.
Rakhale’s agent, Mandla Mthembu, directed all the clubs that want to sign his client to Chippa.
“Rakhale is still contracted to Chippa.Every club that is chasing his signature must call Chippa United,” Mthembu stated.
Communications manager at Amakhosi, Vina Maphosa, said he knew nothing about Rakhale.
“I don’t have any information. The season is still on. We will talk about players that are leaving and players that are coming in the next few weeks when the season is finished,” Maphosa concluded.