Richards Bay FC coach Vasili Manousakis says he doesn’t know whether he will stay with the club, as his contract will expire at the end of June.
Manousakis was appointed as the sole head coach of Richards Bay on 20 March, with Pitso Dladla dropping as the assistant coach after initially co-coaching with Dladla, who promoted the club from the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.
At first, Manousakis was appointed as the technical advisor before the season started. But when 2022/23 was about to start when the club unveiled new players, Manousakis saw his role lifted, sharing the duty with Dladla.
“My contract is up, I don’t know what is happening,” said Manousakis.
“But it is okay, because it is not about me. I’m sure we will eventually get to that period. But what was important is that we saved the status and we played for the people of Richards Bay.”
But Manousakis said he wants to stay at the club, but that decision is beyond him.
“I want to stay, I want to work in the PSL,” said Manousakis without hesitation.
“I have been called a plumber [a term used in SA to define coaches who have no credibility and qualifications], electrician – but it is okay. It is part of growing – but I’d like to stay, I’d like to keep working, and keep continuing.
“I hope it’s here and if it’s not here, we will cross that bridge when we get to it.”
The newbies were one of the high flying teams early in the season, sitting in second place for large parts and aiming to finish in the top eight based on the points they gained in the first round.
But they were faced with many issues in 2023, including the sad passing away of their captain Sphamandla Mtolo in February, a man who was key in the side’s promotion last term.
It was tough trauma to overcome and Bay were then amongst relegation candidates, finishing 13th in the DStv Premiership table with 33 points.
They went 15 games in all competitions without a win and Manousakis did not win as the club head coach in seven matches in charge.
The club’s status was only saved after they drew with Royal AM in the last game of the season.
