TUESDAY, 12.30PM:
NATIONAL soccer coach Clive Barker has demanded R200 000 a month to guide Bafana Bafana to the World Cup finals in France next June. On Monday, Barker accepted the coaching job on a full-time basis for the next 15 months.
South African Football Association (Safa) president Molefe Oliphant confirmed that Barker had requested a net R100 000 a month — after the deduction of taxes and other expenses. He said the remuneration issue was referred to the Safa international board meeting next Wednesday.
“I don’t think it would be proper to reach an agreement with Clive [Barker] without consulting other members of the technical committee,” said Oliphant.
If Barker’s demands are met, he will be the highest-paid coach in Africa.
Meanwhile, Safa is considering increasing Bafana Bafana’s technical staff for the World Cup finals, said Safa CEO Danny Jordaan. “Apart from Barker’s contract we have to figure out if we have enough technical expertise,” he said. “It may be that Barker needs more staff and we would consider recruiting more specialised coaches onto his staff if necessary.”
Barker has already shown interest in working together with former Peruvian international Augusto Palacios. “Barker is keen to get Palacios more involved. Countries like Brazil, England and Germany have six or seven coaches assisting the national coach,” said Jordaan.
South African director of coaching Horst Kriete is likely to be part of the technical staff to take Bafana Bafana to the finals.