JOHANNESBURG – Eric Tinkler's decision to part ways with Cape Town City was not influenced by money as his former boss, John Comitis, was willing to match the offer SuperSport United made to him.
But rather, it was triggered by the ambition he has of reaching a level in his coaching career.
This comes after the new SuperSport United head coach observed how the likes of fellow coaches Pitso Mosimane and Gavin Hunt went on to achieve great things in their respective careers after serving under his new employers.
Mosimane went on to win last year’s CAF Champions League title, after having served as a Bafana Bafana coach, while Hunt, the reigning PSL champion, won the league title three times in a row with Matsatsantsa before he parted ways with them to go and join his current side, Bidvest Wits.
Tinkler, who penned a three-year deal with the Tshwane side leading up to the new season, said he hoped to achieve a similar type of success in his career as well.
“The decision to join SuperSport United came about a few days ago,” Tinkler said. “It was a difficult one because I just had a fantastic season with Cape Town City this past campaign. And secondly, I had already moved my family down there to the Mother City as well.
"But when SuperSport came to me with their offer, I listened and thought it was definitely a no-brainer. And that’s because they are a very successful football club which is very ambitious. They have a fantastic youth development system as well.
“There are coaches who came here like Gavin and Pitso who’ve done extremely well for the club before they moved up to bigger and better things in their careers,” Tinkler added. “Hopefully that will happen for me as well as I continue progressing in my coaching career. I believe that there’s no better place to try and do exactly that than here at SuperSport.”
Tinkler, who’s been to both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup finals during his stint at Orlando Pirates, said he hoped to lead his new side to continental glory once he takes over.
“I’m a very ambitious coach,” Tinkler said. “They are the club who have finished within the top eight bracket for the last 17 years and we will try to keep that record going.
“I officially start in my new coaching job on 1 July. Kaitano (Tembo) will continue with his duties in the Confederation Cup and Stuart (Baxter) will be in charge of the team when they play in the Nedbank Cup final. I know it’s a bit of a strange situation but you just have to accept and move on with it.
“And yes,” Tinkler added. “I want to achieve what Pitso did in Africa. Sure I’ve been in two continental finals but the truth is (he hasn’t had enough of it). I really want to go back there and try to win the (Confederation Cup) title this time around.
"And what better team to do it with than with an ambitious side such as SuperSport United.”