Thanda deal not permanent
2008-05-12 21:34
Johannesburg - That old feeling and old yearning were clearly still burning brightly when Gordon Igesund took his place in the grandstand at the Mapumelanga Stadium in Hammersdale on Sunday as a special advisor to Thanda Royal Zulu during their 1-1 Premier League draw with Santos.
But the up-beat coach who holds a unique record of guiding four different clubs to the PSL championship - Mamelodi Sundowns being the last of this ilk - said on Monday that too much should not be read into his link with the relegation-threatened KwaZulu club as it was not a permanent deal.
"Thanda Royal are a club with a lot of vision and enterprise," explained Igesund, who was summarily ejected by Sundowns after the defending Premier League champions made a disastrous start to the current season, "and in their first stint as an entity in South African soccer they are doing everything possible towards retaining their status.
"I was honoured," added the former Sundowns coach, "when they approached me for these critical last few games to make an input as an advisor because of my experience and knowledge of South African soccer.
Propositions from Austria
"But," added Igesund, "Thanda Royal have an excellent coach in Sweden's Roger Palmgrem and, in any case, I am currently examining a number of other options for next season - both inside South Africa and further afield as well."
Igesund said included among these options was an offer from Bloemfontein Celtic, but he was also considering propositions from Austria, were he had featured with success during his playing career, Saudi Arabia and a couple of African countries.
"But after a couple of months since I left Sundowns," he added, "it's stimulating to be back in the heat of battle with Thanda Royal, whom I am hoping to help in their bid to remain in the Premier League."
Thanda Royal are currently third bottom in the PSL log ahead of wooden spoonists Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards and will save their bacon if they stay in this position after completing their programme in the fateful next six days with games against Wits University and Cosmos.
- SAPA