Staff Reporter.
Cape Town Spurs coach Shaun Bartlett says he is determined to push on despite the threat of a sacking swirling overhead after his side lost a record-breaking seventh game in a row on Saturday.
Spurs were beaten 3-1 by Cape Town City in their derby match at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, letting an early lead slip.
It is the first time in Premier Soccer League history that a club have lost their first seven matches of a new league season.
“I’m not somebody to just throw in the towel. I think my whole life I’ve always persevered,” he said after the loss left Spurs starkly adrift at the bottom of the standings.
“I’ve always had my back against the wall. Nobody gave me a chance. So, I’m always going to try my utmost best. That is my character, where I come from, that is what taught me to be in this position. I’ve got a thick skin and broad shoulders. That’s why I’m carrying the team and will continue to carry the team until any decision is made.”
Speculation over Bartlett’s future increased markedly after Saturday’s loss despite the fact the club a fortnight ago issued a statement of support for him.
“It’s like you asking a chef to put on a great dish, but you don’t give him the ingredients. It’s difficult,” Bartlett added.
“That’s the major concern at this moment in time. I’m trying my best with the technical team, with other coaches, to change the fortunes around because it’s not the position we want to be.
“For five years we’ve been fighting to be in the DStv Premiership. And we wanted to make sure that we started on a better note and at this moment in time that’s not the case.
“So we’ve got to, as a club, look at what is the problem is at this moment in time. It’s easy for me to say ‘I’ll take the responsibility’. That’s not an issue. That’s why I chose this job. Nobody gave the job to me. I chose it. And it’s a thankless job because when next week when we win a game, all the players will get praise and I’ll be pushed aside.
“But at the end of the day, that’s what I chose to do. When I came in, it was first to save them from relegation and then to win promotion. That’s fine. But now it’s not going as we planned. So, collectively the decision needs to be made as to how we’re going to turn it around and what needs to be done, “the coach added.