Gordon Igesund on Tuesday spelt out his plans and reasons for joining struggling Absa Premiership outfit Free State Stars.
Igesund, who resigned last week from fellow strugglers Maritzburg United, caused a sock in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when on Monday he signed a contract to coach Stars until the end of the season.
Igesund is one of the most successful local born coaches in the PSL after winning four PSL championship titles with as many clubs. He also was the driving force that helped United avoid relegation last season.
He won the PSL championship with Orlando Pirates, Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns and now-defunct Manning Rangers.
But Igesund said he was up for another big challenge: ”At first I thought I might take a break after resigning from Maritzburg, but when my business manager, Mike Makaab, said a number of clubs had inquired about my availability, I decided that I was not ready to rest.
”I was keen on another challenge and Stars have offered me just that. I signed until the end of the season and have the option to decide what to do after the end of the contract.”
Igesund replaces Themba Sithole, who will remain on as his assistant coach.
”I am delighted Themba and the technical team are staying. It is a strong set-up and I am looking forward to working with all of them.”
Igesund was warmly received when he met his new players at their training base in Bethlehem on Monday afternoon. ”I was also amazed at the reception from the people of Bethlehem.
”It was fantastic and shows there is a lot of pride and feeling for Stars in the town.”
Ironically, his first game in charge will be the Free State derby against neighbours Bloemfontein Celtic at QwaQwa’s Charles Mopeli Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm).
”I have never been scared of a challenge and look forward to this derby. It is going to be a brilliant experience for me as this is the only major PSL derby that I have not been involved in and am looking forward to the experience.”
As coach of Pirates he was involved in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, as coach of both Santos and Ajax Cape Town he has experience of the Cape derby, while he gained experience of the Pretoria derby with Sundowns against SuperSport United, and with Manning Rangers he is the veteran of many KwaZulu-Natal derbies.
Igesund said the main reason he accepted the job of helping Stars was because he believes the club has potential to grow. ”I reckon we can finish in the top eight by the end of the season.
”The club has a lot of potential and strong management. It will be tough as we have only 15 matches remaining in what is a shortened season because of the World Cup in June.
”But I believe Stars have the potential and I want to develop it.”
Igesund realises that goal scoring is Stars’ main downfall. ”I will assess all the players, the strength and weaknesses before I jump into the transfer marker.
”But goal scoring has been a problem in the past and one I will have to fix, and quickly. But I am looking forward to this new coaching challenge.” — Sapa