Call him a “beast”, call him a “nice guy” – the bottom line is that whatever he decides, it is always in the best interest of his club.
So says Ikapa Sporting’s chairman Shaun Petersen following the “mutual” departure of his head coach, Rowan Hendricks (pictured right) after only a few months in charge.
It could probably have been a different story if Hendricks had won their away match against FN Rangers on Saturday, instead they went down 0-1 when Leandro De Sousa proved to be the difference at the Royal Road Sport Field in Maitland.
It must be noted that Ikapa did not play badly at all and gave Rangers a real run for their money.
Hendricks raised a few eyebrows in this particular fixture though with some of his tactical decisions that were questionable. For example, playing his captain Adeeb Triegaardt further up the (mid)field was in hindsight not ideal as Triegaardt was signed from Junction as a central defender.
So, too could Hendricks have opted for the former Goulburn Athletic shot stopper and Safa Cape Town’s player of the Year, Shakeen Johnson, instead of Thaaqib Domingo who at times was vulnerable under the aerial balls.
Be that as it may, the axe fell on Wednesday already when Hendricks was informed that he would be supported by Zane Ryklief (pictured left) as a Technical Director, while Gareth Ngaca, Ikapa’s former coach, would now serve as an assistant – and this did not sit well with Hendricks.
Petersen informed to No Bones with Jones that it is a real pity as he initially brought in Hendricks as a long-term appointment.
“We wish him well and I am sure he has got another job already lined-up,” Petersen stated. “At the end of the day, I say again, I acted in the best interest of the club. Why? Number one I am bringing in… and not after but while he was still there. I never dismissed him. It was by mutual agreement that we parted ways.
“I believe he told the whole table on Wednesday that he did not want assistants as they link up with chairmen and talk behind coaches’ backs. So, that was his feeling as he never really wanted an assistant but he’s always been an assistant wherever he’s been. My bru, you know all is good in love and war. We take it on the chin and we move on.
“When you are a chairman you only act in the best interest of the club. You don’t do things on your own accord – the club comes first. Call me a beast or a nice guy or whatever, just know that the club comes first,” the Ikapa boss further explained.
According to Petersen he acted swiftly to make sure he had the “basis covered.”
“In this (coming) week we will finalize a few things. At this stage, we don’t need to bring in anyone else. Between the two of them they can quite easily take charge of the team. For me, it is always about the club. I nogal like the mix between Zane and Mbhuthi (Ngaca). So let’s see. I have given Zane Carte Blanche to decide if he wants to bring in a (head) coach or if he wants to continue. So that kind of discussion we still need to have and finalize, you know.
“Zane’s got to direct this whole team’s football going forward and I have entrusted him. Môre bring ek iemand in dan sê hulle ek wil nog altyd die show run (Tomorrow I bring in someone and they will say that I still want to run the show) – but there are more things that I will not discuss or mention right now. “
Meanwhile, Hendricks stated his version to No Bones with Jones adding that he is happy with the chance given to work with the players.
“I have resigned as head coach and this (FN Rangers) was my last match,” Hendricks confirmed. “I feel the new technical team can take the team further. It has been a tough year also.”
Hendricks added that he took an unselfish decision but one that was in the best interest of the club.
“I could have resigned a day before (the match) but I said no, I will come. We always sacrifice time and effort for players and we are here for the players – it is not for us. They need to do things we have done so we can’t stand in their way. Yes, I am being selfless, and I think every coach needs to sometimes step back and look in the mirror: Am I going to hurt someone more or is it going to benefit the players?”
