Breaking News: Muhsin Ertugral leaves Cape Town City

Breaking News: Muhsin Ertugral leaves Cape Town City

SABC Sport has established that Cape Town City interim coach Muhsin Ertugral has officially stepped aside with seven Betway Premiership matches to go.

The experienced Turkish-born mentor replaced Eric Tinkler in January and got off to a flying start beating Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in successive matches. 

Ertugral was then voted Betway Premiership Coach of the Month as a result, with The Citizens turning the corner and climbing up the log table. 

But soon after the 59-year-old, who holds a UEFA Pro License and has worked closely with the Turkish FA during European Championships and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, expressed the need for City to add quality to the team for 2025/26.

City then suffered eight defeats, won three matches and also managed the same amount of draws in the 14 fixtures Ertugral had been in charge of.  

According to information gathered by the public broadcaster, it’s believed the coach has stepped aside, citing “quality” of playing personnel as the reason there for.

The announcement that Ertugral was taking over from Tinkler was made at the same time as confirmation that he would then continue as the technical advisor at City from 1 July when a new technical team would be appointed. 

SABC Sport earlier reported that Andries Ulderink had been identified as the next City coach, with the Dutchman having made the trip to Cape Town to watch one of their games in person as he prepared to take over. 

However, the former Ajax Cape Town mentor was confirmed as the interim coach at Belgian topflight side Royal Antwerp until the end of June, throwing a spanner in the works, although it’s understood he is still likely to return to the PSL in July. 

Meanwhile, Ertugral has been vocal about the state City are in, even before he took over and repeatedly told journalists that he did not have a “magic wand”.

READ: PSL more Sundowns, Pirates and the rest - Muhsin Ertugral