Durban City are edging closer to appointing a new head coach. Reports sayd they have opened talks with Kaizer Chiefs’ former tactician Khalil Ben Youssef over the vacant position.
OFFER ALREADY MADE FOR FORMER KAIZER CHIEFS MENTOR
Information gathered by FARPost’s Mthokozisi Dube indicates that Durban City have already met with Ben Youssef and subsequently tabled an official offer.
The KwaZulu-Natal club had considered several candidates during its search process. It included former Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo mentor Guy Bukasa.
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The final decision now rests with the Tunisian tactician.
LOCAL EXPERIENCE AN ADVANTAGE
Ben Youssef is no stranger to South African football, having spent the last two seasons working in the country.
He initially arrived as part of Nasreddine Nabi’s technical team. He later served as a co-coach alongside Cédric Kaze at Kaizer Chiefs.
Durban City will be hoping their next appointment can build on the momentum generated by a campaign that delivered both a top-eight finish and Nedbank Cup success.
DURBAN CITY CHANGES
City endured a turbulent 2025/26 season marked by several coaching changes following their promotion to the Betway Premiership. Promotion-winning coach Simo Dladla departed before the campaign began after failing to agree on a new contract. Veteran coach Gavin Hunt was appointed as his replacement alongside Ernst Middendorp as technical director.
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Hunt lasted only four months despite guiding the club to eighth place, leaving in December 2025 following disagreements over transfer policy. Assistant coach Pitso Dladla took temporary charge before the club appointed Sinethemba Badela as head coach later that month. However, Badela’s tenure was short-lived, ending in February 2026 as the club opted against waiting for his long-term project to take shape.
Pitso Dladla was then reinstated as caretaker coach and oversaw a remarkable finish to the season, leading Durban City FC to fourth place in the league and securing the 2026 Nedbank Cup title.
