DStv Premiership side Cape Town City have placed head coach Jan Olde Riekerink on administrative leave, following a string of disappointing results.
After suffering a humiliating 5-1 loss at home against high-flying AmaZulu last Wednesday, the side also lost 1-0 to TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The Citizens are placed seventh on the DStv Premiership log with nine wins, eight losses and nine draws after 26 games.
City took to Twitter to confirm the appointment of assistant coach Diogo Peral as the man in charge with the Dutch coach embarking on an administrative leave with immediate effect.
“The club can confirm that it has placed coach Jan Olde Riekerink on administrative leave, with immediate effect. Club assistant coach Diogo Peral will take charge of the team until further notice,” City confirmed in a statement on the club’s official Twitter account.
Riekerink has not exactly done badly for the club but this decision comes after a period of stagnancy for The Citizens Blue and Gold Army. In their last 13 games, they have only recorded three wins, a run that has seen them drop from an healthy position earlier in the season.
They are not exactly in danger of missing out on the top-eight but their recent performances have been nothing to write home about. To go with, Riekerink has refused to make changes and continues to watch his side make the same mistakes. A tally of 36 goals conceded means Cape Town City have the worst defence of all sides in the top half. On a larger scale, they have the second worst defence in the DStv Premiership this term. Only bottom-side Black Leopards have conceded more (39) than The Citizens Blue and Gold Army.
Diogo Peral is now the man to lead the club until the end of the season. After losing their last two games in succession, City would be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Bloemfontein Celtic next in the league. The remainder of their fixtures includes games against leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, Maritzburg United and Black Leopards.