Durban City Appoint New Coach - Eric Tinkler Returns After Short Ghana Stint

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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Eric Tinkler has been appointed Durban City's new head coach, returning from a short tenure at Asante Kotoko.
Club chairman Farook Kadodia endorses Tinkler’s experience to drive domestic and CAF competition ambitions.
Tinkler’s prior coaching roles in South Africa and previous collaboration with Kadodia position him well for the task.

Eric Tinkler has been appointed as Durban City's new coach (Getty Images).

Eric Tinkler has been appointed as the new head coach of Durban City, returning to South African football after a short spell with Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko.
Tinkler Gets Owner Backing
Short Kotoko Spell Ends
A Return to Familiar Ground

The experienced coach replaces Khalil Ben Youssef and takes charge with the club targeting success domestically and in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Tinkler Gets Owner Backing

Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia backed Tinkler’s experience and knowledge of South African football. He believes the coach understands what is needed to help the club achieve its ambitions this season.

Kadodia said: “Eric brings a wealth of experience in South African football and understands what is required at this level.

“We believe he is the right person to lead the team and help us achieve what we have set out to achieve this season.”

Short Kotoko Spell Ends

Tinkler spent just two months at Asante Kotoko, winning one of four Ghana Premier League matches while drawing two and losing one.

He also guided the club to victory over Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup before leaving to return to South Africa.

A Return to Familiar Ground

Before moving to Ghana, Tinkler coached Sekhukhune United during the 2025/26 season, guiding them to fourth place before his departure in April 2026.

His South African career also includes spells with Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, SuperSport United and Maritzburg United. The latter club became Durban City, meaning Tinkler has worked with owner Farook Kadodia before.

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.