Bartlett backs Zwane to succeed at Chiefs

Zwane is in his first season as the head coach of Amakhosi after replacing former coach Stuart Baxter in the hot seat.

Bartlett has pleaded with fans to exercise more patience with the coach and players.

According to the 50-year-old Cape Town Spurs coach, it could take a while before Zwane brings back the glory at the club.

In 2018, Bartlett was appointed as an assistant coach to German mentor Ernst Middendorp.

He knows the culture and expectations at the club, having served as a player and coach.

Bartlett told SABC Sport that there would be more downs than ups and that fans should expect more losses during the rebuilding process in Naturena.

“When Ernst (Middendorp) and I were at Chiefs, we said it from the beginning because we inherited an old squad, and what is happening with Arthur (Zwane) is many youngsters getting promoted to the first team. At the end of the day, when you play many young players, you have to be prepared as fans and coaches to lose games. We need to realize that it is a process, and it is something that we have to take care of, and it requires patience from both sets, the fans, and management,” said Bartlett.

Amakhosi are fourth on the DStv Premiership table with 21 points from 13 matches, with six wins, three draws, and four losses.

Zwane’s charges trail the runaway log leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns by seven points.

Bartlett says Zwane is the right man for the job and fans shouldn’t judge him on his first season as the head coach.

“As I said, he has a young team, and it could take a while for them to hit the ground running. He needs more time and plenty of support. The rebuilding process could take a while. And it could be a success,” explained the former Bafana Bafana striker.

But Sundowns are cruising at the top of the table and have the luxury of playing three different teams and still producing the same results.

“When you can play three different teams like they did last time in the Carling Black Label Cup, showing the quality they have in their books. Unfortunately, money can buy you success, and we have seen it at Sundowns,” explained Bartlett.

The league will resume after a four-week break due to the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In a pick of the matches, Sundowns will play host to Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 30 December at 3.30pm.

Amakhosi will travel to Kwa-Zulu Natal for a meeting with Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on 31 December.

By Charles Baloyi