Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has compared his approach to building a technical team to that of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti when explaining why Helman Mkhalele will not be returning as his assistant.
Mosimane was confirmed as the new Bafana head coach by SAFA on Tuesday, replacing Hugo Broos, who spent five years in charge of the national team.
Mkhalele served as Broos’ assistant with the Belgian previously suggesting that the Bafana legend could be a strong candidate to succeed him.
However, Mosimane has opted to bring in members of his trusted technical team. Long-time analyst Musi Matlaba and conditioning coach Kabelo Rangoaga will join him, with Mosimane highlighting that both have completed their coaching qualifications and are now coaches in their own right.
The new Bafana boss also confirmed that he intends to appoint another assistant coach soon.
Asked whether Mkhalele had been considered for the role, Mosimane explained that coaches generally prefer to work with members of their established technical teams.
He used Ancelotti as an example, pointing to the long-standing relationship between the Brazil coach and his son, Davide, and the success they have enjoyed together.
“Everyone and every coach has his own technical team, right? And I always want to refer to practical questions,” said Mosimane.
“And I’ll tell you about Ancelotti. You know who he takes with? He takes his son. And they have won a lot of trophies. If I had my son next to me here instead of…I think you would be saying some other things.
“He’s got his son and they have won trophies, right? And the world is not looking at Ancelotti and his son, right? It’s looking at the work to be done.
“So, for us, it’s the work done, right? And I have people that have done FIFA World Cup with me here. Four of them.
“And it’s the people who understand the way I work, the way we work. We work differently. From South Africa, in the continent, even over the continent beyond the borders of the continent. So, I have the people that I think can support me. And, yeah, I think I’m giving you the right answer.”