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Cape Town - Ex Maritzburg United coach Gordon Igesund is not surprised that Fadlu Davids has hit the ground running in his early years as a coach, saying the Team of Choice mentor has shown leadership qualities from his time as a player.
Igesund coached Davids at United between 2008- 2009 and has backed the young Absa Premiership coach to be among the contenders for the Coach of the Year Award if his side maintains their good form until the end of the season.
The Team of Choice has been the surprise package this season, enjoying a good run that has taken them to third place in the standings despite boasting a youthful squad and losing star forward Evans Rusike in the January transfer window to SuperSport United.
They are five points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundows and trail second-placed Orlando Pirates by four points, with six games of the season to play.
"Look, I am very happy to see what he is doing because he was my player as you know," Igesund exclusively told Vodacom Soccer.
"I am just happy to see him coming through. He was always a dedicated player and had good leadership qualities.
"I am not surprised that he is doing well as a coach. He liked to listen; he liked to learn, liked to do things the right way and you know when he was playing for me, he used to score goals."
Igesund added: "I hope he continues to do well and it is always nice to have one of your players coming through and obviously I am very pleased for him."
The former Bafana Bafana coach, who produced four league titles in a successful coaching career in the PSL, believes United can still achieve more than expected this season which might boost their coach’s chances of winning a top accolade.
Igesund added: "Yeah look, I think he is obviously one of the coaches that should be considered. I mean, he has done a fantastic job.
"I do not think his age or what should come to the picture. You are judged on what you do in the field and where your team finishes.
"It does not necessarily mean if you win the league or you don’t win the league or a cup competition you automatically qualify to walk away with the award."
Igesund says he won a lot of titles during his career in the PSL, but still does not have a Coach of the Season accolade to show for it as judges went for other coaches who had done well without winning a trophy.
He added: "I mean I have won the league many times, but I have not been Coach of the Year.
"I do not think it should be judged on whether you have won the league or not. It should be judged on what the team has achieved over the 34 league games that they play in a season.
"So I would certainly say he should be one of the three of four nominees for that Coach of the Year.
"But also again, I do not think we should be jumping quickly into it because there are still games and anything can still happen. There are a lot of things to consider."
