Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has revealed why he is currently happy in the Winelands when asked whether he’d be tempted to take his coaching career to one of the big-three.
Barker is currently the longest-serving coach in the Premier Soccer League and was finally rewarded for his hard work in Stellenbosch by lifting his first trophy as manager.
The 55-year-old saw his side beat TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties in the Carling Knockout Cup final, and his continuous use of young players hasn’t gone unnoticed and has even fans from the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns waxing lyrical about Barker.
But he insisted, he would currently not be tempted by any of the big-three and still has more work to do in the Winelands.
“When you are in a happy place and you are able to achieve what I want to achieve as a coach, not only on the field but also the development and the growing and including players and creating big opportunities for them, what keeps me get up every morning and go to work is the ability to affect lives and at this club I’m able to tick that box really well,” he said during a press conference with the South African Football Journalists Association when asked about his own coaching targets and whether a move to one of the bog-three is one his list.
“You know we are building a squad that is competing at the top end of the table and [for] trophies – we’ve had two semi-finals, a final and win.
“I’m happy at this stage where I am, continue to develop the club, carve players and the potential of this football – I do see this football club continue to become bigger in South African football, and we’re doing the business the right way.
“We continue to recruit really well, I don’t think any reason why in a few years time we won’t be able to try and challenge a little bit.”
Stellenbosch, who are currently unbeaten in 10 games, winning nine of them, return to action on 29 December when they will face Orlando Pirates, who they already have beaten twice this season.
