Newly-appointed Pretoria Callies boss Joel Masutha has revealed he got an offer from PSL side Black Leopards to help save them from relegation. However, the 50-year-old turned down the offer to take on the prospect of an exciting job in Tshwane.
Having starred for the club during his playing days and also coached them as well, Masutha has history with Leopards who continue to struggle and look doomed for relegation as they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Masutha was appointed as Callies head coach at the start of April, following the dismissal of Sammy Troughton, despite an impressive feat of leading the club to the Nedbank Cup semifinals.
Kosta Papic is the current technical director for Leopards while Lehlohonolo Seema occupies the tough spot as head coach. A woeful tally of just one point gained in their last available 18 leaves them likely to suffer a disappointing drop.
Masutha admits he still holds a soft spot for his former side but found the project with Pretoria Callies more exciting to take on.
He said: “Black Leopards has been my home for more than 16 years as a player and a coach, there will always be a strong bond between myself and the club”.
“Yes, we spoke, but they found out I am with Callies and I have ambitions also to take this team to the DStv Premiership.”
“I can’t be in two places at the same time, but my heart is with Callies. I wish Leopards all the best for the rest of the season and hope they avoid relegation.”
Instead, Masutha is gearing up to lead Callies for their crucial Nedbank Cup semifinal against another of his former sides, Chippa United, on Saturday.
“We are looking forward to a very difficult match against a DStv Premiership side, which is never going to be easy. You have to fight to get that victory,” he added.
“We are also a new team, the new kids on the block and we would like to make history in our first season in the GladAfrica Championship. We will give our all to play for the win and hopefully the result will be on our side.”
Masutha led Pretoria Callies to a win against Polokwane City in his first game in charge of the club but has now suffered two consecutive defeats in the league. He will need to oversee a positive run of results to help guarantee their safety.