Ajax Cape Town admitted they were blindsided by the sudden resignation of coach Muhsin Ertugral, but said they are in no hurry to appoint a replacement as assistant Ian Taylor was placed in temporary charge.
Ertugral's exit from the club was confirmed yesterday, with the stated reasons being his need to attend to the business interests of his uncle and mentor Adnan Senses, who passed away in Turkey on Christmas Day after a three-year battle with cancer.
In his place comes his assistant Taylor, who had been leading the side in Ertugral's absence for much of this month while the latter attended to matters at home.
"It is disappointing, but it is part of the life of a football club. You change players, change coaches and even change administrators," Ajax executive director Ari Estafhiou said.
"We are very grateful for what Muhsin has done for the club, but a coach is a coach. He is part of a tool in a business and all you need to do is replace the tool and get someone else."
Taylor, who has no PSL experience but has been at Ajax for six years, is a regular visitor to Amsterdam to be indoctrinated into the "Ajax way" and is highly rated by Estafhiou.
Taylor's first assignment is on Monday against Orlando Pirates, a baptism of fire for the former defender from Cape Town's amateur leagues.
"It's a big challenge for me, but the last three weeks while Muhsin was away has been good. It has prepared me for the time ahead," Taylor said.
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