More than a decade after retiring, one of SuperSport United's legends is making serious strides in coaching – with credentials some of his PSL counterparts would envy!
Phil Evans, a versatile defensive minded player in his heyday for both Matsatsantsa and Bafana Bafana, has continued his passion.
"After my playing career I got involved with a group called Coerver Coaching and I was involved with them for seven to eight years. Then I got offered an opportunity to be technical director/head coach of the senior side at the Pretoria Falcons and I have only been in the job now for the last seven or eight months," Evans told the Siya crew.
"But we've managed to put a decent squad together and won the Super League in our region. We went to the play-offs to get into the SAB League and got promoted."
The 41-year-old confirmed that he is in possession of the highest coaching qualifications on the continent, which some PSL coaches haven't yet attained.
"I have done up to the CAF A License and the next step is the Pro License, but I believe they haven't had that course in SA for a few years now and it's quite expensive, but I want to add as many as I can," said Evans, who also played for Bidvest Wits.
"I am looking to develop players and get them into a more professional set up and work to see how far we can go. The Falcons are a young club, and we have a relative amount of talent, and I think now that we are promoted, we will start attracting a few better players and better talent – who knows, it's all pretty knew to us."
Will he recommend some top gems to his ex-club?
"I am part of the SSU legends group and in contact with quite a few of the guys, and obviously Kaitano (Tembo) is the head coach there now and the other guys are still involved with the club and are part of the group," Evans explained.
"So, there are pathways I would like to develop for our players and build good relationships – and I also know what it takes and how they will be treated. I want to send my players to a place where they will have a decent look in. In our play-off match there was one or two scouts from the pro clubs, and they showed interest in two of our players. It's not a difficult thing to call one or two of my mates that are still involved with the topflight clubs – I made quite a lot of friends, some at Sundowns and others are involved at Chiefs as well as other clubs. If need be I can make the call and if they trust me I can send them a few decent players. I won't be attached to one club, my goal is to see the guys progress."
Another former player, Sean Roberts, is also helping Evans achieve his targets and is currently his agent.
"I think it's great to have someone with Phil's background and with what he has achieved in the game getting involved back where he belongs. He is a great role model and knows exactly how to guide the young players coming up," Roberts told the Siya crew.
