Ertugral says Pirates’ progress to the CAF Confederation Cup Final – only to lose to Etoile du Sahel – is impacting on their form and there is little Tinkler can do about.
Pirates have struggled in the League and languishing in 11th place with eight defeats from 19 matches. They face Ertugral’s high-flying side in an Absa Premiership match on Sunday.
“I really have sympathy for Eric,” Ertugral says. “To get to the Final of the Confederation Cup; to beat Al Ahly in the semifinal … it’s not easy.
“You play against Al Ahly in that semifinal and then you come back home and play local teams and it’s not easy to motivate the players.”
“In 2001, I was there with Kaizer Chiefs when we won it (the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup) and afterwards and we were team of the year in Africa. So you bring a team to that level and then you have to come back as quickly as possible and you play a team like Free State Stars.
“It’s very difficult. I experienced that myself … you will come to a slump. And sometimes that slump takes longer.”
Ertugral feels it is unfair when the blame is heaped solely on Tinkler, arguing that the players must accept responsibility for Pirates’ domestic form as well.
“Sometimes we speak about the coaches but the players must also take responsibility. We can’t say that Eric has done badly, he did what he could do and he did very well to get to the Final,” Ertugral says.
“What is great to see is to see that the supporters remain calm and the club supporting is supporting the coach.”