Following reports that Kaizer Chiefs have reached out to TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic as one of the candidates for their head coach post, KickOff looks at what the highly-rated mentor could bring to Naturena.
That the Glamour Boys are looking for a coach to turn their fortunes around following a nine-year silverware drought, and now we look at some of the factors that could lead to the club's hierarchy settling on the Serb-German.
1. Identity
Chiefs have been struggling to find the right balance between sticking to their ideal identity, what interim coach Cavin Johnson has consistently referred to as 'the Chiefs way', as well as getting results at the same time.
Ramovic has shown the ability to combine an attacking brand of football with results, which is rare for a so-called small team in the PSL.
2. Tactical flexibility
Although Galaxy have been playing on the front foot under Ramovic, the tactician can also vary his game, depending on the occasion.
After he famously beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 early last season, he had Rulani Mokwena taking notice of the Italian defensive system, Catenaccio, which he employed in that game.
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"Catenaccio is when you have auxiliary fullbacks and you create that when you have Ebrahim Seedat (left back), who sits close to Pogiso Sanoka, and Marks Munyai (right back), who sits close to Given Msimango.
"But the wide areas are covered by Lindokuhle Mbatha and (not so much) Aphelele Teto," Mokwena explained to journalists.
"That's what catenaccio is, it's when wingers drop into fullback positions and then that creates that spare fullback, which is a buffer for centre-backs to have more protection. So, TS Galaxy defended in something similar."
3. Improvement of individual players
After just two seasons under the lanky coach, the Mpumalanga-based side produced top players for big teams and abroad, as goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi joined Orlando Pirates, Sphiwe Msimango went to Kaizer Chiefs, Tshegofatso Nyama linked up with Cape Town City, Bathusi Aubaas was snapped up by Mamelodi Sundowns, Aphelele Teto impressed Livingston (Scotland), and Djakaridja Traore made the switch Istanbulspor (Turkey).
It's quite remarkable that following the departure of these players, Ramovic rebuilt the squad with largely unknown players from the lower divisions and the club finished in a decent position on the log.
4. Strong mentality
When it comes to what the Soweto giants require to win trophies again, who better to explain it than their former player Bernard Parker, currently at the Rockets.
"At Chiefs, the mental part is a big factor at the club, not the quality, not anything else, and Coach Sead is a big fan of mentality, and what keeps us going at TS Galaxy is that we've got a strong mindset.
"I believe if Sead can get the nod at Kaizer Chiefs, definitely good things will come out of them," he said in an interview with FC Meets on SABC Sport in February.
5. Results
It has not always been smooth-sailing for Ramovic at the club, having managed only 30 points in his first season, 2021/22, when they finished 13th.
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The 45-year-old improved the team the following campaign after finishing with 35 points,leading them to a 10th place finish.
The fiery mentor has already over-achieved this season, and if recent comments are anything to go by, would welcome a call from Amakhosi.
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