Notoriously trigger-happy Chippa United boss Siviwe Mpengesi has fired coach Joel Masutha and replaced him with former Bafana Bafana player Clinton Larsen.
Although Chippa chief operating officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi, said he could neither confirm nor deny Masutha's sacking on Wednesday, at least two reliable sources close to the camp confirmed he was on his way out.
Larsen, who parted ways with Golden Arrows in late December, will become Chippa's fifth coach of the season, which has only passed its halfway stage.
Vladislav Heric was appointed ahead of the start of the campaign but was fired without taking charge of a game. He was replaced by Dan Malesela, who gave way to Eric Tinkler.
Masutha took over from Tinkler in early December and was only in charge as an interim coach for five games, none of which he managed to win.
When contacted soon after the news broke, Masutha said: “No, no, no, that is news to me. Maybe they will fire me. I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything.”
Chippa suffered yet another loss on Tuesday night going down 4-2 to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium. The defeat comes straight after their 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic last Friday.
The setback has seen the Port Elizabeth-based professional side go 10 league matches without a win, with their last victory dating back to October.
After 17 games, the Chilli Boys are languishing at the bottom of the log with only 12 points.
Meanwhile Chippa are streamlining their operation and looking to end the contracts of six of their biggest earners as Mpengesi looks to tighten the club’s belt.
Thabo Nthethe‚ James Okwuoso‚ Buyani Sali‚ Jabulani Shongwe and Miguel Timm have all been told to look for new employment, while Thato Mokeke has gone to Cape Town City.
The Port Elizabeth club has had money troubles for some time and now has the added concern about its future in the top flight. The clean-out is not a reflection on the form of the players‚ most of whom had been featuring regularly for the team‚ but rather financial issues.
Masutha sought to duck questions from reporters about the clean-out when quizzed about it after the loss to Pirates.
Instead Masutha said: “I feel when things are not going right and you keep doing the same things that you had been doing then you will stay there [near the bottom].”
A new general manager in ex-Baroka boss Morgan Mammila has been brought in to try to make more astute purchases in the market place.
“He does not only understand the game but is a shrewd businessman, and we have no doubt he will help strengthen our administration and steer the ship forward‚” said Mpengesi.
“It is important that the football club remains a beacon of hope to the aspiring footballers in this province and beyond its borders,” said Mpengesi. – TimesLIVE..