Bernard Parker has opened up about the circumstances surrounding his difficult spell as TS Galaxy head coach, defending his tactical decisions following criticism of the team’s performances in the Betway Premiership.

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana striker found himself under pressure after the Rockets suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats against Kruger United and Chippa United. The results prompted club chairman Tim Sukazi to make changes to the technical team, with Parker subsequently leaving the club.

Speaking to Robert Marawa, Parker explained that his side’s defeat against Kruger United was heavily influenced by the dismissal of Veluyeke Zulu early in the second half. The defender received a red card in the 50th minute, forcing Galaxy to adjust their approach against their Mpumalanga rivals.

Parker believes the numerical disadvantage made it difficult for his team to execute their original game plan.

He maintained that the technical team had to adapt to the circumstances and find a way to secure a result, although Galaxy eventually conceded in the 73rd minute.

The defeat attracted further criticism from Sukazi, who described the performance as the worst he had witnessed from the club.

However, Parker also defended his team’s display against Chippa United, insisting that there were encouraging signs despite the disappointing result.

According to the former striker, Galaxy prepared well for the encounter and showed greater confidence, control and organisation. He felt the players performed better but failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

Parker’s departure marked a challenging moment in his transition from professional footballer to coach. Having enjoyed a successful playing career, including a decade at Kaizer Chiefs, he had hoped to establish himself in the dugout.

Despite the setback, Parker is determined to continue developing his coaching career. He has confirmed plans to pursue UEFA coaching qualifications, an important step towards improving his technical knowledge and management skills.

His experience at TS Galaxy highlights the pressure facing young coaches in South African football, where results often determine how much time they receive to build a team.

For Parker, the next chapter will be about learning from the experience and proving that he can succeed as a coach.

Source:

https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/psl/ts-galaxy/bernard-parker-explains-what-went-wrong