Sukazi Discusses Parker’s Permanent Role
TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has shed light on Bernard Parker’s future at the club, suggesting that the former Bafana Bafana striker could remain in a coaching role ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Rockets endured a disappointing second half of the 2025/26 campaign despite reaching the Nedbank Cup final.
After an impressive first round, during which they spent much of the season in the top four, Galaxy’s form deteriorated dramatically after the midway point. The club eventually finished 12th in the Betway Premiership with 32 points, missing out on a place in the top eight.
The decline led to the departure of head coach Adnan Beganovic, with Parker stepping in from his assistant coach role to take charge on an interim basis for the final five league matches.
The former Bafana Bafana forward made an immediate impact, guiding Galaxy through those fixtures unbeaten. His standout result came against Mamelodi Sundowns, as he masterminded a victory over the Tshwane giants and restored confidence within the squad.
When asked whether Parker could be appointed permanently, Sukazi was full of praise for the club legend, highlighting both his coaching potential and the results he achieved under difficult circumstances.
“Now I don’t even need to speak loudly; I mean, just follow reason and logic,” said Sukazi.
“Here we have Bernard Parker, a South African football legend. He has all the qualities, credentials and attributes required for the role. He has proven himself and helped pull us out of the doldrums.
“After we had lost nine of our previous 10 big matches, he had to focus on the final five games of the season, and he has not lost a single one. The major test for him was against Mamelodi Sundowns.
“After we beat them and eliminated them in the Nedbank Cup, people said it was because Solomon Mahlangu Stadium is small. I said, ‘Okay, let’s go to Mbombela Stadium,’ and we won there as well.
“So it’s not simply about winning matches. I think it took genuine football intelligence to devise the strategy that delivered those results. He has shown very positive signs.
“It is a question I could put to the country. If we follow logic, it makes perfect sense for Parker to remain in a coaching position while we continue developing him.
“Naturally, when the pressure increases, we will have opportunities to protect and support him where necessary. That responsibility rests with us, but the momentum we have built must continue.”
Sukazi also reflected on Galaxy’s dramatic decline during the second half of the season, admitting he still struggles to explain what went wrong after such a promising start.
“We had a wonderful first round and were sitting around fourth place, but then we became the complete opposite in the second round,” he said.
“I cannot really explain it, and that ultimately forced us to make a coaching change. From that point onward, we started to find our way again. I think when we beat Sundowns, people saw the real TS Galaxy.
“They saw the TS Galaxy they have come to know — a team that provides an alternative for supporters whenever we face the traditional giants of South African football.
“I believe we are back on the right path and that we will return stronger. It’s unfortunate because football can be very strange at times. I still cannot fully explain how our second round unfolded.”
While the club has yet to make a formal announcement regarding the head coaching position, Sukazi’s remarks strongly suggest that Galaxy are encouraged by Parker’s progress and view him as an important part of the club’s future plans.
