THE executioner's axe is seemingly hovering over suspended PSL coaches Julio Cesar Leal of Orlando Pirates and Owen da Gama of Platinum Stars.

This became patently evident yesterday after Da Gama was summoned to appear at a club disciplinary hearing in two weeks' time, while Leal has speedily become the forgotten man of The Buccaneers after interim coach and development director Augusto Palacios continued a successful transition to the senior team.

Both Leal and Da Gama are on extended contracts and the suspicion has emerged that the reason they have not already been fired is because of the financial implications involved in negotiating a settlement.

There seems clearly an element of cynicism to the charges laid against Da Gama in particular, which in some instances appear petty, with the one that the respected coach had demanded R5000 from players in order to include them in the Stars line-up all but beyond belief.

This also at a time when he seemed to be turning the tide after the team's poor results at the beginning of the season.

Leal's suspension by Pirates seems on a different plain with no back-biting or bitter recriminations, but the Brazilian coach is on a lucrative contract and The Buccaneers' management cannot be looking forward with any joy the prospect of having to pay him out in full.

Leal and Pirates, in the circumstances, could yet agree on a settlement and a relatively amiable parting of ways - but go it seems he must, in view of the hostility shown against him by a body of supporters and players.