The Soweto Derby is one of the most intense matches in South African football, where a single result can drastically affect a coach's relationship with the fans. While trophies and championship titles hold great significance, success in the clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has its own importance.
Since the beginning of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era in the 1996/97 season, a group of selected coaches has repeatedly achieved victories in South Africa's biggest club match. Below is a ranking of the most successful coaches in the PSL era Soweto Derby, ranked by the number of wins.
Stuart Baxter - Five Wins
Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter set a high standard, securing five wins in the Soweto Derby across two spells at 'Naturena'. He won three derbies during his first stint and added two more during his second, becoming the most successful coach in this rivalry at that time. His statistics served as a benchmark for Chiefs coaches until Jose Ribeiro of Orlando Pirates matched his record in 2025.
Jose Ribeiro - Five Wins
Ribeiro brought a new chapter to this rival battle during his three years at 'Pirates'. The Spanish coach achieved five derby victories, equaling Baxter's tally after Pirates defeated Chiefs 2-1 in the Betway Premiership in May 2025. In the match, Magcopop made the score level after Glodi Lelepo opened the scoring for Chiefs, and Relebokhile Mofokeng scored the winning goal. Ribeiro's result was particularly notable as he overcame losses in the first two derbies before managing to change the course of this rivalry.
Ernst Middendorp - Four Wins
Middendorp ranks next on the list, with four derby wins for Chiefs over two periods at the club. The German coach secured two victories in the 2005/06 season and another two upon his return in the 2019/20 season. His statistics highlight how difficult it is to maintain success in a match where form and league position can quickly fade into the background compared to the pressure of derby day.
Muhsin Ertugrul - Three Wins
Ertugrul is among the Chiefs coaches who have achieved repeated success against Pirates, securing three derby wins. The Turkish coach was known for building competitive Chiefs squads and remains part of the group of coaches who have managed to win this match multiple times.
Vladimir Vermezov - Three Wins
Vermezov also recorded three derby wins while coaching Chiefs. The Serbian specialist became another coach who managed to transform his time at 'Naturena' into success against Pirates, joining Ertugrul in the group immediately following Baxter and Middendorp.
Also with Three Wins: Ruud Krol and Micho Sredojevic
Pirates also have representatives in the category with three wins. Ruud Krol and Milutin Sredojevic, better known as Micho, each secured three derby victories during their time at Buccaneers. Their achievements demonstrate that success in the derby was not exclusive to Chiefs coaches, even though Baxter previously held the absolute PSL era record, which Ribeiro later equaled.
What the numbers say: Baxter and Ribeiro share first place with five wins each, followed by Middendorp with four. Ertugrul, Vermezov, Krol, and Sredojevic share third place with three wins. The list also shows how difficult it is for coaches to dominate the derby over a long period. Even experienced tacticians struggled to turn repeat encounters into consistent victories.
For Chiefs and Pirates fans, these records serve as another measure of a coach's legacy—a legacy shaped not only by trophies but also by performances in a match that holds such immense significance for both fan bases.