Best South African Coaches In The PSL

The 2022/23 DSTV Premiership is at the halfway stage and Mamelodi Sundowns are running away with the trophy…as expected some would say. Having won 14 games in 17 games, and leading the league by 14 points ahead of second place Richards Bay. When Sundowns do grab PSL honours, head coach Rhulani Mokwena will become part of the ‘best coaches’ in South Africa conversation.

With that in mind, Bet Central ranks the best South African PSL coaches, based on their impact and accolades.

5. Dan Malesela (Marumo Gallants)

Dan-Dan guided Marumo Gallants to the 2021-22 Nedbank Cup final where they were narrowly beaten by Mamelodi Sundowns. The 57-year-old tactician returned to Marumo Gallants after a brief stint with Royal AM as a co-coach alongside Khabo Zondo. Known for his attractive football, Malesela is one of the best coaches in the country, and he guided TS Galaxy to a historic Nedbank Cup triumph in 2019 by beating Kaizer Chiefs in the final. Which ranks amongst his best achievements in his storied career.

4. Eric Tinkler (Cape Town City)

The Bafana Bafana legend is an experienced coach who has guided both Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United to the Confederation Cup final. He remains the only South African coach to lead two teams to the final of the continental tournament. Tinkler made history with Cape Town City last season after leading them to a second-place finish in the PSL. It was the Citizens’ highest-ever finish in the PSL. The 52-year-old tactician won his maiden major trophy as a head coach with the Citizens, the 2016 Telkom Knockout Cup in his first stint with the club. He went on to win the 2017 MTN8 title with SuperSport United.

3. Rhulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

The Mamelodi Sundowns head coach is already among the best coaches in the country, having enjoyed success with Mamelodi Sundowns as both an assistant and head co-coach. Looking at his cabinet as a co-head coach, Mokwena (36), has won two league championships, an MTN8 title, and a Nedbank Cup alongside Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela. The young tactician won a domestic treble as a co-coach and scooped up the PSL Coach of the Season accolade with Manqoba Mngqithi. Looking at how dominant they are once again this season, he’s gunning for the Coach of the Season accolade alone this time around. He is the brightest coaching prospect in South African football without question.

2. Manqoba Mngqithi (Mamelodi Sundowns)

The Umzimkhulu-born tactician is one of the most experienced coaches in the league, having made his PSL debut as a coach back in 2007 with Golden Arrows. Following Mosimane’s departure in September 2020, Mngqithi and Mokwena were appointed as co-head coaches, and the duo made history last season by becoming the first co-coaches to win a domestic treble. The 51-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach has won four major trophies, and he is a five-time major trophy winner having led Lamontville Golden Arrows to a 2009 MTN8 victory.

1. Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United)

The accomplished tactician is back in the PSL having been without a club for seven months before he was reappointed as the new SuperSport United head coach at the beginning of the season. Hunt has won eight major trophies including four league championships. The five-time PSL Coach of the Season is the only coach to have won the league title with three different clubs. He is one of the greatest ever.

Siphamandla Lindwa

Siphamandla Lindwa is a sports writer and a publisher for Bet Central at Bet.co.za. He obtained a B-Tech in Sports Management from Tshwane University of Technology. When not writing sports content, Sipha scouts talent and networks for his future Sports Management agency.