Davids ready to step up as a top mentor
As a former Maritzburg United player, it would be a fairy tale story for Fadlu Davids to go on to be full-time coach at the club he represented almost 90 times during his heyday as a forward.
The former striker, who celebrated his 36th birthday this past Sunday, told Phakaaathi he would definitely take up a role as permanent head coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), but not before he completes his coaching badges.
It is probably safe to say everyone is impressed by Davids’ coaching abilities which he demonstrated when he held the fort following the resignation of Ernst Middendorp in November last year. The 36-year-old was left to pick up the pieces again when Roger de Sa quit the club in March, steering the Team of Choice towards a top eight finish with four wins in eight matches.
“I will definitely coach in the PSL, no doubt about it if given the opportunity, that’s my priority and I said it in the first time when I was interim coach after Middendorp resigned. I know I will be a head coach one day, it is not about being afraid of the position. I have a clear target and that is to complete my Uefa licences. I have finished the Caf B licence. I want to go all the way to Uefa Pro,” said Davids.
“I know that from before, when coaches have taken over and they needed time off and they weren’t given time off. I know coaching is a lifestyle, it’s a 24/7 job, and my main priority is getting those badges,” he said.
The Cape Town-born coach says his time at the helm can be defined by the influx of youth players from the MultiChoice Diski Challenge team into the first team, stating that as the main reason behind bringing about some stability to the team.
“My time has really been a time where the players have come together, where they have really stepped up, where they have put in the performances, where they have really changed their mind-set and wanted to achieve something. So my time has given me joy in that regard, where these young Diski boys are taking a step towards the PSL and then holding their own against PSL teams,” he told Phakaaathi.
“That is really a proud moment for me and for them to be able to play and take the first step from MDC to PSL. The most difficult challenge has been blending the youth with the experienced players. We had a lot of MDC players coming through and playing their first season in the PSL, and I have been trying to strike the right balance in certain positions so that they can make their first season easier,” he added.
More often than not, the Team of Choice find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, which they survived last year. This time around, United are faced with the prospect of finishing in the top eight.
“It is a complete different season to last season. Middendorp cleared out and signed players who were able to shine, and those are foundations and the structures that were laid. We just continue with those structures,” added Davids.
United will have enjoyed a 10-day break before their crucial season finale against Bloemfontein Celtic, where a point will be enough to secure them a finish in the top eight. Davids’ ambition does not allow him to celebrate mediocrity though.
“We probably need a draw in the final game against Celtic, but we must try and win it. If you play for a draw you may get caught. We can’t be just a team that celebrates a draw. We have got to set the bar higher to be able to take the next step at the club.”