TS Galaxy DStv Diski Challenge coach Bernard Parker has revealed which Kaizer Chiefs got him into coaching.
The 38-year-old retired from football last season and has taken over as The Rockets’ DDC challenge team. Having played football professionally for almost 20 years, the man known as ‘Die Hond’ showed dedication, commitment and respect on the field of play.
Speaking to FARPost, Parker revealed that former Kaizer Chiefs mentor Stuart Baxter made him realise he could become a good coach.
“He [Stuart Baxter] is the first one who planted the idea in my mind that I would become a good coach because tactically I respond very well, tactically I always know what to do,” he told FARPost.
“He would always use me as an example, and he said to me, ‘You know Bernard, you should think about becoming a coach’.
“So, that seed was planted by coach Stuart Baxter. That’s where it started for me.
Parker on what ex-Kaizer Chiefs coach Baxter told him
“I asked him [why], he said, ‘I know you’ve been at Chiefs for a long time, and we won trophies and went through the drought, but you managed to play under all coaches’.
“I then started helping in the communities, taking my team to the tournaments,” Parker added.
Parker spent over a decade at Kaizer Chiefs winning two league titles. While with Amakhosi, Parker began training young soccer players to develop into professional players.
“And then I started helping young players as well in terms of becoming professional.
“The likes of Donay Jansen, who was 14 at the time, and Shandre Campbell, who was also 14. I started then to realise I can become a good coach.
“Seeing how much I’ve influenced these boys and what they’ve become, it really kicked in that this is the route and the direction I’m going to take,” he said.
Aside from Kaizer Chiefs, Parker has also played for Galaxy, FC Twente and Benoni Premier United.
Will Parker make a good coach?
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