Well-respected coach Ian Palmer was yesterday relieved of his coaching duties at Mthatha Bucks after seeing his team pick up just four points from the last five games.
Palmer has been at the helm of Amathol’amnyama for less than a year after the club released Velile Dyaloyi.
Bucks chief operations officer, Lunga Tukute, said after discussing the club’s progress and fortunes, they saw it necessary to end their relationship with Palmer.
“The club and Mr Ian Palmer have mutually agreed to part ways. In sad state of affairs, the coach has lost his father and that family bereavement also means the coach needs more time closer to his family,” said Tukute.
“On the other hand, it is a critical stage of the season for the club and it is after these considerations that both parties felt it was in the interest of both parties to part ways.”
Tukute sent the club’s heartfelt condolences to the Palmer family: “we are keeping them in our prayers during these hard times and we also wish the coach everything of the best in his future endeavours.
“We will now embark on a process to find his successor and we shall make an announcement when that process has been concluded,” he said.
Palmer said he respected the decision and would focus on himself and his family following the passing of his father on Sunday night.
“It was a business decision and I can’t do anything about it. I just want to focus on the future now and forget about this because now I have my father’s funeral to prepare for.
“I don’t have anything to say to the players because I think they could have done much better. So I don’t have much to say to them or the supporters.”
Palmer said he wanted to take some time off: “This is not the end of me I will push for Premier Soccer League after my time off.”
The former Orlando Pirates striker started the season on a high after the team bolstered its squad with top-flight experienced players like former Chippa United defender Bongani Kama.
But Bucks began to struggle as the season progressed. Palmer won three games, lost another three games, and last weekend they played their fourth draw at home against Super Eagles which sparked riot at the Mthatha Stadium.
Tukute said they were working very hard to find a suitable candidate to replace to Palmer, but in the meantime their old technical staff would keep the ship sailing.
BUCKS PERFORMANCE UNDER
PALMER THIS 2017-18 SEASON
Tuks 1 Bucks 1; Bucks 2 TTM 0; Bucks 0 Richards Bay 0; Bucks 1 Witbank Spurs 1; Bucks 1 Uthongathi 1; Bucks 0 Stellenbosch FC 1;
Bucks 0 Royal Eagles 3; Bucks 1 Cape Town All Stars 0; Bucks 0 Real Kings 1; Bucks 1 Super Eagles 1.
End of road for Bucks coach
Palmer has been at the helm of Amathol’amnyama for less than a year after the club released Velile Dyaloyi.
Bucks chief operations officer, Lunga Tukute, said after discussing the club’s progress and fortunes, they saw it necessary to end their relationship with Palmer.
“The club and Mr Ian Palmer have mutually agreed to part ways. In sad state of affairs, the coach has lost his father and that family bereavement also means the coach needs more time closer to his family,” said Tukute.
“On the other hand, it is a critical stage of the season for the club and it is after these considerations that both parties felt it was in the interest of both parties to part ways.”
Tukute sent the club’s heartfelt condolences to the Palmer family: “we are keeping them in our prayers during these hard times and we also wish the coach everything of the best in his future endeavours.
“We will now embark on a process to find his successor and we shall make an announcement when that process has been concluded,” he said.
Palmer said he respected the decision and would focus on himself and his family following the passing of his father on Sunday night.
“It was a business decision and I can’t do anything about it. I just want to focus on the future now and forget about this because now I have my father’s funeral to prepare for.
“I don’t have anything to say to the players because I think they could have done much better. So I don’t have much to say to them or the supporters.”
Palmer said he wanted to take some time off: “This is not the end of me I will push for Premier Soccer League after my time off.”
The former Orlando Pirates striker started the season on a high after the team bolstered its squad with top-flight experienced players like former Chippa United defender Bongani Kama.
But Bucks began to struggle as the season progressed. Palmer won three games, lost another three games, and last weekend they played their fourth draw at home against Super Eagles which sparked riot at the Mthatha Stadium.
Tukute said they were working very hard to find a suitable candidate to replace to Palmer, but in the meantime their old technical staff would keep the ship sailing.
BUCKS PERFORMANCE UNDER
PALMER THIS 2017-18 SEASON
Tuks 1 Bucks 1; Bucks 2 TTM 0; Bucks 0 Richards Bay 0; Bucks 1 Witbank Spurs 1; Bucks 1 Uthongathi 1; Bucks 0 Stellenbosch FC 1;
Bucks 0 Royal Eagles 3; Bucks 1 Cape Town All Stars 0; Bucks 0 Real Kings 1; Bucks 1 Super Eagles 1.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos