JOHANNESBURG – Bloemfontein Celtic coach Veselin Jelusic has bought a one-way ticket back to Serbia amidst uncertainly regarding the sale of the club, Independent Media learnt yesterday.
Jelusic was appointed in July last year by Phunya Sele Sele and handed a two-year contract.
But it now appears that the club, under pressure to give answers on their next move following a shock announcement by chairman Max Tshabalala that he was struggling to keep it afloat as well as pay salaries and has therefore put it up for sale two weeks ago, will have to search for a new coach.
Celtic finished in 11th place in the Absa Premiership after a tough second half of the season, which was in complete contrast of the first half.
Jelusic guided the club to the Telkom Knockout final, but lost 1-0 to Bidvest Wits.
He purchased a flight ticket to Serbia soon after the end of the season earlier this month to enjoy the break, but he has told those close to him that he will not be returning.
Veselin Jelušic has served just ten months of his two year contract with Bloem Celtic. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix
The streets of Bloemfontein went up in smoke on Sunday with fans disgruntled and angry with reports that a Northern Cape businessman would buy the Premier Soccer League club and relocate it to Kimberley.
Tshabalala had long agreed with the Sol Plaatje Municipality to host Celtic’s home games in the upcoming season, a deal said to be worth R1.5 million.
Independent Media has also seen correspondence between the club and Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlameli in his attempts to keep the club based in Bloemfontein.
He wants businessman in that Free State city to consider buying Celtic instead of having it relocate to Kimberley.
The sale will still be subject to approval by the PSL before it can be given a stamp of approval, but what is guaranteed is that Jelusic will not be coming back.
@superjourno
The Star