It may be early days, but it looks like Dan Malesela is about to take the domestic coaching scene by storm.
His elevation to head coach by Chippa United after joining them initially as assistant in December brought a fresh face to an industry renowned for recycling failed managers and, more sadly, overlooking local talent.
That at 50 Malesela is only now getting to coach an Absa Premiership team is an indication of how difficult it is for former players to break into the coaching scene, whereas some mercenaries can job-hop at the drop of a hat.
Malesela has not necessarily staked a claim for the Premiership coach of the month award yet, but his record since replacing Roger Sikhakhane makes for more than decent reading.
Chippa have played eight matches under him, winning five and losing three. Some of the wins include Sunday's last-gasp victory away to Bloemfontein Celtic, a 2-0 win at Golden Arrows and a 3-1 result against Ajax Cape Town.
It cannot be easy for a first-timer heading a team owned by the most trigger-happy of club bosses, but if he continues in this vein, Malesela could soon eclipse Sikhakhane's record as the longest serving Premiership coach at Chippa, who have had nine since August 2013 when they were in the National First Division.
Sikhakhane took charge of Chippa's opening 11 league matches this season, but his longest uninterrupted stay there is merely 13 games - between September 2014 and December 2014. Last season alone, Siviwe Mpengesi, the eccentric Chippa owner, hired five coaches as the team barely survived relegation.
Malesela could well have joined that list of coaches who have had brief stints at Chippa had results not gone his way. But with the Chilli Boyz sitting pretty in sixth place in the standings, he has a chance to entrench himself among the great coaching prospects in the land.
His ability has never been in doubt, as he proved himself when he led Garankuwa United to the Nedbank Cup semifinal three years ago when they were still in the NFD.
He also coached Cape Town All Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns' Multichoice Diski Challenge team and now, finally, finds himself at the helm of a Premiership side, albeit one fraught with unpredictability, occasional off-field drama and a general perception of unprofessionalism.
Just yesterday it was confirmed that Sikhakhane, who had been placed on special leave in December, had won his unfair dismissal case against the club.
It's not ideal club, but Malesela can make a name for himself, especially if he succeeds in his mission to be the first coach to lead Chippa to a top-eight slot.
He dare not fail because SA football rarely unearths new coaching faces. And those given a chance, not least at Chippa, barely last the pace.
Encouragingly, signs are there that the man famously known as "Dan Dance" during his Orlando Pirates days could turn into something special.
Impressive Malesela leads Chippa on merry dance
It may be early days, but it looks like Dan Malesela is about to take the domestic coaching scene by storm.
His elevation to head coach by Chippa United after joining them initially as assistant in December brought a fresh face to an industry renowned for recycling failed managers and, more sadly, overlooking local talent.
That at 50 Malesela is only now getting to coach an Absa Premiership team is an indication of how difficult it is for former players to break into the coaching scene, whereas some mercenaries can job-hop at the drop of a hat.
Malesela has not necessarily staked a claim for the Premiership coach of the month award yet, but his record since replacing Roger Sikhakhane makes for more than decent reading.
Chippa have played eight matches under him, winning five and losing three. Some of the wins include Sunday's last-gasp victory away to Bloemfontein Celtic, a 2-0 win at Golden Arrows and a 3-1 result against Ajax Cape Town.
It cannot be easy for a first-timer heading a team owned by the most trigger-happy of club bosses, but if he continues in this vein, Malesela could soon eclipse Sikhakhane's record as the longest serving Premiership coach at Chippa, who have had nine since August 2013 when they were in the National First Division.
Sikhakhane took charge of Chippa's opening 11 league matches this season, but his longest uninterrupted stay there is merely 13 games - between September 2014 and December 2014. Last season alone, Siviwe Mpengesi, the eccentric Chippa owner, hired five coaches as the team barely survived relegation.
Malesela could well have joined that list of coaches who have had brief stints at Chippa had results not gone his way. But with the Chilli Boyz sitting pretty in sixth place in the standings, he has a chance to entrench himself among the great coaching prospects in the land.
His ability has never been in doubt, as he proved himself when he led Garankuwa United to the Nedbank Cup semifinal three years ago when they were still in the NFD.
He also coached Cape Town All Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns' Multichoice Diski Challenge team and now, finally, finds himself at the helm of a Premiership side, albeit one fraught with unpredictability, occasional off-field drama and a general perception of unprofessionalism.
Just yesterday it was confirmed that Sikhakhane, who had been placed on special leave in December, had won his unfair dismissal case against the club.
It's not ideal club, but Malesela can make a name for himself, especially if he succeeds in his mission to be the first coach to lead Chippa to a top-eight slot.
He dare not fail because SA football rarely unearths new coaching faces. And those given a chance, not least at Chippa, barely last the pace.
Encouragingly, signs are there that the man famously known as "Dan Dance" during his Orlando Pirates days could turn into something special.
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