Cape Town City’s former Third Division coach Neven Payne believes that the club should persist with Byron Cottle (pictured) as head coach of the young Citizens.
Cottle, who succeeded Payne two seasons ago, has done exceptionally well with the new crop of players in his debut season of Safa Cape Town’s Hollywoodbets Third Division season.
So, too, has Moritz Kossmann who recently got a coaching stint in Europe. Cottle and former Bafana Bafana player Mark Mayambela can also be deployed as the Diski coach as well.
But for the sake of continuity, the club should remain with the status quo and not necessarily cause any major disruption.
The 34-year-old ambitious Cottle and his even younger troops went toe-to-toe last season with the eventual champions and runner-up, Vasco a Gama and Saxon Rovers respectively, ending third – exactly the same position they ended under Payne a season prior.
Payne, who made the step up to the Diski set-up along with the bulk of his players from the Third Division team from two seasons ago, stated that it’s time for young coaches (like Cottle) to be given the opportunity to make their mark.
According to the former Hellenic midfielder Cottle, who holds a Caf C-licence, should at least be given another season which will help the development team with some continuity and consistency for next season.
“(Last season) It was his first year as head coach and I would give him another go,” Payne said to No Bones with Jones. “He is one of the up-and-coming young coaches eager to make his mark and to help with the development of players.
“Everything about it is just right, you know – focussed, disciplined and always open and willing to learn which is a good characteristic for any coach or individual. He is a good guy and I think he’ll be a very very good coach as well,” Payne concluded.
Photo supplied by Conray Swail
