Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Ted Dumitru has slammed the exclusion of Chippa United mentor Dan Malesela from the upcoming Premier Soccer League (PSL) awards.

According to Dumitru, Malesela brought commendable improvements in domestic football and that should have scored him a nomination in the Premiership Coach of the Season award.

"Dan has introduced major style improvements that are in line with the SA playing philosophy - no other nominated coach has achieved that," Dumitru said.

"Since the criteria for nominating the coach of the season also refers to the cases of coaches who have made major contributions to professional football despite working with very limited resources and without high profile players (it was confirmed by the official selectors, Neil Tovey, Farouk Khan and Robert Marawa) the snubbing of Dan Malesela from the list has created huge disappointment and it looks like the feeling that 'something is very wrong/fishy' with the selection of nominees cannot be just ignored," the 76 year-old said.

Malesela’s side beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 at the FNB Stadium on the last day of the 2015/16 season to finish sixth on the log, having collected 45 points in 30 league games.

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 and now, finally, finds himself at the helm of a Premiership side.

He also coached Cape Town All Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns' Multichoice Diski Challenge team.

Absa Premiership coach of the season:

Gavin Hunt (Bidvest Wits)

Muhsin Ertugral (MP Black Aces)

Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)