Fadlu Davids doesn't regard his joining Orlando Pirates as a step back.
The 37-year-old has signed on as a second assistant coach for three-and-a-half-years.
After an amazing spell as head coach of Maritzburg United last season, Davids was considered to have established himself as one of the youngest and brightest head coaches in the Premier Soccer League.
Talking to the Sunday Times yesterday morning about having been in the Pirates dugout the night before, Davids said joining Bucs would greatly equip him for the challenges ahead in his coaching career. Davids was among the coaching staff when Pirates beat Horoya AC of Guinea two nights ago.
"I totally disagree with those who might view my new role at Pirates as a step back," said the Cape Town-born coach of his decision to be part of an almost overloaded Pirates technical team.
Pirates had eight technical experts assisting head coach Milutin Sredojevic before Davids arrived, along with his younger brother Mahier this week.
According to Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, Mahier will be deployed to the Pirates youth development teams while Fadlu will sit on the bench alongside Rulani Mokwena, assisting Sredojevic.
"In the coaching industry these days there's so much at stake and so much responsibility, whether you are an assistant coach or the assistant. For me it's all the same thing," said Davids, who was sacked by Maritzburg last month after a poor start to the league in his second campaign.
"Of course, I always look at the bigger picture and I always like to think about long-term goals. My main objective is to obtain my Caf pro licence and definitely Pirates are supporting me in this regard. Being a head coach again will come in time. There's no rush on my part."
On being tailed by his brother wherever he's been so far as a coach, Davids said it was just a coincidence this time around "not a precondition I put to Pirates as many may have thought".
IMPRESSED BY RECEPTION
Davids said that what attracted him to Pirates was their long-term vision, which was in line with his development as a coach.
"Of course there were some interests in my services elsewhere, but with a long-term vision of a club and the project that they're already in now, I felt comfortable joining Pirates. They are a forward-thinking club and that's what really excites me. I just couldn't pass the opportunity of working with coach Rulani and Micho."
It's early days for Davids with Pirates, but he was impressed by the reception he got from everyone associated with the club. For him the cherry on top was being involved in Pirates' 3-0 demolition of Horoya on Friday.
In a big pool of technical experts, how do you get your view be taken seriously by both the head coach and the players? Davids was asked.
"We all add our voices there and there, but of course the final decision has to be that of the head coach, even though everyone's view is considered. It's all about adding value with your perspective [rather] than worrying about the numbers, really."
Surely Davids must have ambitions to be a head coach again at Pirates, or elsewhere? He tried to sidestep that question, saying his focus for now was helping the Buccaneers.
"My target is to help Pirates achieve success and in whichever way I can do that I will do. I will be there for coach Micho to help him achieve success at Pirates," said Davids.
In welcoming Davids, head coach Sredojevic highlighted that there was a gap that needed to be filled in his technical team after the departure of Benson Mhlongo.
"We've welcomed coach Davids and he is coming when we are in a very good shape to add and contribute from his own aspect as a second assistant coach.
"I believe there's huge space for whatever we do because we are never happy and satisfied. We want more. He knows us and he's just come to add his value in an organised environment," said Sredojevic.
Now armed with Davids plus Stephane Adam as finishing coach, Andrew Sparks as goalkeeper coach, the Pirates technical team looks formidable and will be under more pressure and scrutiny if it doesn't end the trophy drought that stretches back to June 2014...