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Malesela out, Tinkler in as revolving door at Chippa swings again

Eric Tinkler on the sidelines during his time as Supersport United coach Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Trigger-happy Chippa United have sacked head coach Dan Malesela for a third time and replaced him with former Bafana Bafana midfielder Eric Tinkler.

The club confirmed the move on Wednesday, though the rumour-mill had been running since Monday and the news came as little surprise.

"The club would like to thank coach Dan for his contribution to the club over the past and current season and wish him the best with his future endeavours," said a statement from the team.

"The club furthermore wishes to confirm the appointment of Eric Tinkler."

No stranger to the Premiership, coach Tinkler and has had an illustrious career at the helm of top clubs, including Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, and SuperSport United.

He achieved several milestones, including guiding both Pirates and SuperSport to CAF Confederations Cup finals, and led the Citizens to a Telkom Knockout Cup title and third place in the league in the 2016/17 season.

"The club believes that his proven abilities fit in perfectly with its objectives and wish him every success in the Eastern Cape," said Chief Operations Officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi.

"Tinkler has a penned a one-year contract with an option to renew and will start with immediate effect."

Tinkler returns to work after leaving SuperSport United in March, where he won the MTN8 title last season, as well as reaching the final of theConfederation Cup, where they lost to TP Mazembe.

He had also previously taken Orlando Pirates to the 2015 Confederation Cup decider and the 2016 Nedbank Cup final.

But his finest season was undoubtedly the 2016/17 campaign with Cape Town City, who he took to third place in the league and the Telkom Knockout trophy.

Tinkler enjoyed a stellar playing career as a tough-tackling midfielder, lifting the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations trophy with Bafana Bafana and playing in the top flight in Portugal and Italy, as well as the English Premier League with Barnsley.

Chippa's next match is away at SuperSport next Wednesday. The club have so far managed just a single point from their opening three matches.