<
>

SA's Maritzburg United appoint Eric Tinkler in place of Muhsin Ertugral

Eric Tinkler on the sidelines during his time as Supersport United coach Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

South African Premiership club Maritzburg United have announced the appointment of former Bafana Bafana star Eric Tinkler as their new manager, filling the spot vacated by Muhsin Ertugral.

Tinkler, who was sacked from Chippa United in December, will be tasked with turning the Team of Choice's fortunes around after they lost five in a row under Ertugral, who lasted just one month in the role.

Maritzburg, who have score just six goals this season and are bottom of the standings, announced the appointment on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

The club, which sacked Ertugral just a day prior, wrote of their decision to remove the Turk from his role: "Normally a new coach brings a new energy into a club and we had high hopes that this will be the case when we appointed Muhsin Ertugral.

"But unfortunately after 5 games this was not forthcoming. The club had to look at its survival and its future, so it was a ultimately a results based decision"

Former Barnsley midfielder Tinkler, who played 45 matches for his country, has also coached SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, and was Cape Town City' FC's first coach.