Baroka FC have reportedly been conducting a squad revamp without the input of their head coach Dylan Kerr.
An anonymous source at the club has told The Sowetan that Kerr has not been consulted regarding changes in personnel.
‘Kerr wasn’t told that there are players leaving’
Baroka FC have already signed Cheslyn Jampies, Oscarine Masuluke, Augustine Mahlonoko and Wonderboy Makhubu and have released midfielder Khulekani Madondo and goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini among others.
“The management of the club just does things without hearing from the technical team. Coach Kerr wasn’t told that there are players leaving. Even the return of Masuluke [for his second spell], he was never consulted at all,” the source told the Sowetan yesterday (22 September).
“It’s not only Madondo and Dlamini who’ve been dismissed. Mandisi Gadla, Ethen Sampson and Ivan Mahangwahaya have also been told they are no longer needed. Still Kerr knows nothing.”
These are not the first rumblings of discontent from the coach who signed with Baroka FC in December 2019 replacing Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda who quit suddenly.
Kerr made his name in the PSL coaching Black Leopards, keeping Baroka’s Limpopo rivals up in the 2018/19 season.
Baroka FC survived the drop this term having spent much of the season in or around the drop zone. It was after a crucial victory over Mamelodi Sundowns that Kerr let it be known that he was not being allowed to do his job properly at Bakgaga.
“I know my job. I know my job because I have studied it for 30 odd years as a player and a coach and if people leave me alone to do my job‚ I’ll make this club a success. And unfortunately‚ I should be happy with this result but inside I’m really‚ really angry,” Kerr told SuperSport TV at the time.
After keeping Baroka FC in the PSL Kerr was granted a contract extension but the club will want the coach to drive the team into the top eight rather than simply avoid relegation to the NFD.
Madondo confirms Baroka FC departure
One of those departing is midfielder Madondo who confirmed he would leave the club despite having a year left to run on his contract.
“Yes it’s true bafo, we are just ironing out a few outstanding things here and I move on,” Madondo told KickOff.com.
“So I’m going to start looking for a new team, we are just negotiating a settlement because I have a year left on my contract.
“We had our first meeting with the chairman and I just hope we iron everything out as soon as possible so we can separate on good terms the same way we met, that’s all, nothing else.”
Baroka FC have yet to respond to the claims that Kerr has not been consulted on the squad revamp.
