Dylan Kerr, the newly appointed head coach of Marumo Gallants, has returned to the club with a clear perspective on what went wrong during his previous tenure.
His journey back follows Marumo Gallants’ acquisition of Moroka Swallows’ DStv Premiership status for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Based in Limpopo, Marumo Gallants competed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season, aiming for promotion to the South African top-flight.
Despite winning nine matches, drawing nine, and losing 12 in 30 games, they finished 11th in the standings, enduring relegation after just one season in the second-tier league.
During his earlier tenure, Kerr led Gallants to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup but faced relegation from their league.
Despite this achievement, Kerr felt disrespected by the players due to a dispute over bonuses, which ultimately led to strained relations towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
Speaking candidly about his departure, Kerr highlighted his disappointment with the players’ conduct, particularly their boycott of training sessions.
This protest stemmed from unresolved bonus issues following their commendable performance in the Confederation Cup.
“I departed South Africa for personal and professional reasons,” Kerr explained.
“The players’ actions in the final games at Gallants left me feeling disrespected, not just towards myself but also towards the chairman.
It was primarily about financial disagreements, which should never overshadow the game itself.”
Kerr’s Journey and Challenges in England
Following his departure from Marumo Gallants, Kerr returned to England to explore new opportunities in football coaching.
Despite receiving positive feedback within football circles, Kerr faced challenges due to the evolving dynamics of coaching, emphasizing a shift towards younger coaches focused on analytics and presentation.
“As a 57-year-old coach, I faced considerable hurdles reintegrating into the coaching landscape,” Kerr shared. ”
While I had promising interviews, the football environment has evolved significantly, making it challenging to secure coaching roles.”
In summary, Kerr’s return to Marumo Gallants marks a renewed opportunity to address past challenges and steer the team towards success in the upcoming Premiership season.
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