Coaching can be a thankless job. Those are the words most coaches echo when their clubs sack them after a poor run of form, neglecting all the previous success. Leholohonolo Seema and Dan “Dance” Malesela have probably said those words more than any other current coaches in the local top flight.
The duo have had a love-hate relationship with club bosses who call them for help in dire situations, only to drop them whenever the going gets tough.
Malesela recently returned to Marumo Gallants amid the departure of Dylan Kerr, who stepped down from his role before the season even started. The 59-year-old is making his third return to the club, having initially joined the club in November 2021 before making a sensational return in June 2022.
Malesela once revealed that it hurt being toyed with by the club boss, but because being unemployed is hard in SA, they are forced to humble themselves and retake the job.
Malesela had first showed his loyalty to Chippa United’s trigger-happy boss Siviwe Mpengesi, who hired and fired him on six occasions.
However, to show that it is indeed hard to stay unemployed in the country, Seema has reportedly taken back a job from a club which saw fit to fire him when things were not going smoothly.
Seema is reportedly on his way back to Sekhukhune United who had fired him just before the end of last season after he reportedly had a fallout with the club bosses.
The 44-year-old is set to replace Peter Hyballa, who stepped down from his role at the club amid a fallout with the players and a sex scandal.
After he was sacked by Golden Arrows, Seema went on to rescue Chippa from relegation two seasons ago before the club decided to release him after the season ended.
Seema was also on a high with United before he was sacked, as he had gone five games unbeaten at some point, with the team making a serious challenge for a top-three spot.
Indeed it may be hard to stay unemployed, but clubs must try to refrain from hiring and sacking coaches who’ve proven their loyalty. It makes them look desperate.