Newly appointed Marumo Gallants coach Dylan Kerr admits he’s already struggling to prepare for the upcoming season due to an incomplete squad.

This is Kerr’s third stint with the club, having led them to a surprising CAF Confederation Cup semi-final in 2022/23 before relegation.

The 57-year-old’s return follows chairman Sello Abram’s successful purchase of Moroka Swallows. The club will relocate to Bloemfontein, playing home games at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium with bigger fixtures at Free State Stadium.

Gallants will retain some Swallows players with valid contracts, while others from the Motsepe Foundation Championship will be integrated. Players with expiring contracts will be released along with the sold second-tier status.

However, integrating Swallows players creates challenges for Kerr. He feels a delay in his return has put him behind schedule: “Miles off, I only have three weeks,” he told the media. “I think the changeover took too long, in hindsight maybe I could have come back two weeks earlier to get everything in order, but it wasn’t to be, the process took a bit longer. It’s been a long five days.

“I always came in mid-season with 10, 12 or 15 games left, and I didn’t know what to expect. This time I have three to four weeks to prepare and get the squad right, whoever it may be,” he said.  

“Remember I have inherited long term contracts, renewable contracts and Swallows players on contracts – do the Swallows players want to move to Bloemfontein or do they want to stay?  

“I think the discussions will happen when we move to Bloemfontein so that we can have a better understanding, these days is all about giving the chairman options on who we should sign and let go.”

Gallants spent only one season in the second division, finishing 11th last year. This is their second status purchase, following Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) in 2021. President Sello expects them to establish themselves in the top flight. Kerr’s targets are a top-eight finish and at least one domestic trophy.

Article by Trevor Magoro