Coaching merry-go-round

Four new coaches debuting in this week's restart of the Absa Premiership marked a more gung-ho approach to hiring and firing after owners' patient approach in the last four seasons.

There have now been 13 changes of coach among the 16 PSL clubs this season, which is just past the halfway mark - the highest turnover since 14 changes were made in the entire 2007-2008 season.

A total of 29 different coaches on the bench this season is the most in the last eight and reflects the increasing pressure for instant success that has replaced club bosses' reluctance to be seen to be emotional and reactive in making decisions.

Clubs like Ajax Cape Town and Wits are among those that have decided to change coaches to try and end recent slumps.

Just two seasons ago, only seven coaching changes were made, involving just five of the PSL clubs.

In this campaign, already half of the teams in the top flight have made a switch.

The numbers are inflated by the folly at newly promoted Chippa United where inexperienced owner Siviwe Mpengesi has had five different coaches for the 17 league games played to date. That his side are second from bottom in the standings is no surprise.

Wilfred Mugeyi became the latest Chippa coach on Tuesday, but his tenure started with a heavy defeat, the team going down 3-0 away at Free State Stars.

The 68-year-old Clive Barker, whose first coaching job was with AmaZulu in 1974, returned to the bench after an absence of three years with a winning start at Wits on Tuesday.

Victory over hosts Black Leopards in Polokwane marked a losing start for another new man of the bench, Abel Makhubule.

He is their third coach this season.

Ajax also introduced their third coach last night when Jan Versleijen took charge of the match against Moroka Swallows.

2012-13 COACHES

Ajax: Maarten Stekelenburg, Jan Pruijn, Jan Versleijen

AmaZulu: Roger Palmgren, Craig Rosslee

Leopards: Sunday Chidzambwa, Ian Palmer, Abel Makhubule

Bloem Celtic: Clinton Larsen

Chippa United: Manqoba Mngqithi, Julius Dube, Roger Sikhakhane, Farouk Abrahams, Wilfred Mugeyi

FS Stars: Steve Komphela

Chiefs: Stuart Baxter

Arrows: Muhsin Ertugral, Manqoba Mngqithi

Sundowns: Johan Neeskens, Pitso Mosimane

Maritzburg Utd: Ernst Middendorp

Swallows: Zeca Marques

Pirates: Augusto Palacios, Roger de Sa

Plat Stars: Cavin Johnson

AmaTuks: Steve Barker

Supersport Utd: Gavin Hunt

Wits: Antonio Lopez, Clive Barker