Experienced coach cites professional respect

GOLDEN Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi is refusing to air Orlando Pirates’ dirty linen in public, citing professional respect.

Responding to questions about his previous working relationship with Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the experienced mentor made it clear he won’t discuss internal matters involving his former club.

Having spent several seasons at Pirates in different roles before returning to Arrows, Ncikazi chose his words carefully when asked about the Soweto giants’ current technical team.

He stated that coaches must respect their employers, even after exiting.

“Guys, for the future, as a principle and as a man of my age, you don’t talk ill about your former employer because you offend them,” said Ncikazi.

“Equally, when I start talking about my former employer, I’m offending my current employer.”

Comparing a head-coach to a CEO, Ncikazi explained that protecting the team’s environment was paramount.

“As a coach, you’re a CEO of the company, so protect the environment,” he said.

The former Pirates assistant coach acknowledged that every club has challenges but stressed that coaches shouldn’t expose those matters in public.

“In every club I’ve worked for, there’re issues, but I don’t have the responsibility to publicly tell,” he said.

Making it clear he’ll avoid similar questions going forward, he concluded: “I’ve got no comment, I’ve got no issue to answer. Just in future, I don’t answer such questions because I respect the environments.”