EXCLUSIVE: Seasoned soccer coach Ertugral opens up to Sport24: 'I want to retire in SA and run an academy'

Sport24 asked: What made you fall in love with South Africa as a country?

Muhsin Ertugral: When I first came to South Africa in 1999 to join Kaizer Chiefs, I felt at home straight away. The people accepted me as Muhsin, and the person I was, rather than a Turk or a German. I grew up in a racist Germany and when I arrived in South Africa what struck me was the diversity. It’s a beautiful place which is why my family and I have found our home here. When people see me in South Africa they always ask, “Which team are you going to take?” But it’s not about taking on a new team - I have my home in Cape Town. I want to retire here in around five years’ time and maybe run an academy. At the moment, I’m taking a break from coaching as my technical role with Turkey took a lot out of me. It’s important to put the brakes on and not jump into the next job. On Friday, I flew from Cape Town to Freiburg to attend a three-day coaching conference starting Monday and will meet with my peers and see if I can get the (coaching) fire back.

Sport24 asked: What is your assessment of Bafana under Hugo Broos?

Muhsin Ertugral: I like Hugo. He is a top coach and has a proper career behind him. So when you bring somebody like that (to South Africa) the question is can you provide them with the material to be successful? He was brought in to help with the structures and develop plans. However, the national team coach can’t do that in one game or even three. He needs to build a team and SAFA need to give him that opportunity and leave the man (to do the work). I know that Hugo has great assistant coaches on the side who will help him but the PSL and SAFA need to align. How is it that he couldn’t get accreditation to the stadium when he wanted to watch