Vladimir Vermezovic |
The coaching musical
chairs in the Premier Soccer League continues. South African giants Kaizer
Chiefs have parted ways with their Serbian coach Vladimir Vermezovic.
The development was announced
by the club through a statement on their website today.
The termination of the
contract is with immediate effect and follows a meeting held on Thursday morning
between club chairman Kaizer Motaung, Vermezovic, Chiefs football manager Bobby
Motaung, and the Serbian trainer’s agent.
Although Vermezovic has
been under pressure all season, the timing of the sacking is still somewhat
surprising considering Chiefs are currently third in the PSL table, six points
behind joint leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates – but with a game in
hand.
Sundowns and Pirates
are top with 46 points, but have played 24 games. Chiefs have 40 points after
23 matches.
“It was agreed to part
ways with immediate effect, in order to allow both parties to prepare for the
new season in good time,” Chiefs said in their statement. “The Club thanks the
coach for his services during his tenure at Kaizer Chiefs for the last three
seasons and wishes him all the best for his future endeavours.”
Chiefs will not be
appointing a permanent replacement until the end of the season. Assistant coach
Donald “Ace” Khuse will take charge of Amakhosi until’s season’s end and he will
be assisted by Doctor Khumalo and Arthur Zwane.
Yesterday Vermezovic
had been coy on his Chiefs future at a press conference at Naturena.
Speculation had been
rife that this was Vermezovic’s last season at Chiefs after a season filled with
rumours of player unrest at Naturena.
“My contract is expiring
in June and everything is in the hands of my agent,” Vermezovic said.
“Kaizer Chiefs are a
serious club, and I have information from my friends that different newspapers
have information on other coaches,” Vermezovic added. “I can’t take it
personally, I am a professional. I have a contract with the club, and I will
fight until the end. It is normal that Chiefs want to interview different
coaches; they can’t wait until the last day.”
“I want to win the
league and cup and after that we’ll see.”
But it seems Vermezovic’s
time has been cut short before time. If the Serbian is to stay is South Africa
it won’t be at Naturena…
Happier times... Vermezovic and Bobby Motaung |
“I want to stay in
South Africa because it is nice,” Vermezovic said yesterday. “I learnt to play
golf and they have a lot of golf courses.”
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