Durban City has officially announced the appointment of Eric Tinkler as the team's new head coach, replacing Khalil Ben Youssef. This occurred less than two weeks after the publication IOL Sports reported that the former midfielder for the Bafana Bafana national team was one of the main contenders for the position.
Tinkler became a favorite after leaving Ghanaian giant Asante Kotoko last month. He requested release from his contract for personal reasons after participating in only four matches in the Ghanaian Premier League.
His short spell in Ghana yielded one victory, two draws, and one defeat. Furthermore, he helped Kotoko secure a win against Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup.
The 55-year-old coach returned to South Africa to lead Durban City, which parted ways with Ben Youssef after seven matches of the Betway Premiership. The Tunisian specialist achieved one win, four draws, and two losses, but he also guided the City team past rivals from Burundi, Rukinzo, with a 3-1 aggregate score in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup—the first African tournament for the winners of the Nedbank Cup last season.
Tinkler, who holds the title of African Champion from 1996 with Bafana, previously worked with clubs Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, and SuperSport United. His last club in South Africa was Sekhukhune United, where he was dismissed in April because he failed to ensure the team reached the top three and win domestic trophies.
He is also acquainted with Durban City chairman Farouk Kadodi, as he previously collaborated with him at Maritzburg United, where he helped the club reach the Telkom Cup final in 2019.
Tinkler expressed his enthusiasm, stating: 'I am happy to be part of what is being built at Durban City FC. The club is very ambitious; they have achieved positive results in a short time, already participating in the CAF Confederation Cup, and this made my decision easier.'
Emphasizing the resumption of cooperation with Kadodi, Tinkler added: 'The chairman is someone I have worked with before. When the opportunity arose to return, I took it with both hands.'
The coach stated that he does not plan to make radical changes to the squad, which had a successful 2025/26 season. He noted: 'I do not want to make large-scale changes because the club was successful last season. It is about giving chances to others and returning to victories.'
His goals are clearly defined: achieving eighth place in the Betway Premiership, performing strongly in the CAF Confederation Cup, and competing for the Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup titles.
'There is much to fight for,' he commented.
Tinkler's first match in charge will take place in the KZN derby against AmaZulu at Chatsworth Stadium next Tuesday, when the league resumes after the international break.