Larsen: People Lost Faith In Me

Magesi FC coach Clinton Larsen believes that his relegation with Polokwane City in the 2019/20 season may have tarnished his reputation and limited his opportunities in top-flight football.

He explained that Polokwane City was already in a dire situation when he took over, having lost ten consecutive league matches. Despite his efforts to turn the tide, including a crucial victory over Chippa United in his third game with the side, the team’s morale was significantly damaged, and relegation ultimately became inevitable.

They once had a lead of 2-0 lead against Kaizer Chiefs, who at the time were charging for the Betway Premiership during the bio bubble in Gauteng, but it was wiped off as the game ended 2-2 draw.   

Larsen’s coaching journey took him to the lower divisions, where he led Bizana Pondo Chiefs and Summerfield Dynamos. He led the latter third-tier side to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals but they were hammered 5-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2021/22 season, which might have further worked against him from getting a PSL job.

“I think when you are involved at the club that gets relegated, somehow people lose faith in you in your ability as a coach,” said Larsen when he was asked if he received offers when he was coaching in the ABC Motsepe League. 

“I went to Polokwane City team, the day I arrived, they had lost 10 games in a row, 10 games. From 30 points, they had zero points.”  

Fast forward, as football is an unpredictable game, Larsen is smiling more than any coaches present in the PSL. He made the revenge for that loss to Sundowns, beating them 2-1 where it hurts more – in the Carling Knockout Cup final at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.  

It was the second time that the Durban-born coach had defeated Sundowns in the same competition – having done so in the 2012/13 season with Bloemfontein Celtic in Durban.  

“Things didn’t work, the club (Polokwane) got relegated and probably some PSL bosses felt this coach is not good enough,” continued Larsen, who promoted Magesi to the top flight football last season. 

“And that’s how things pan out and three seasons I was out of the league, but I still work in the ABC Motsepe League, joining Magesi in the NFD and now trying to survive one more time in the PSL.”    

Larsen is the first Durban coach to win the trophy since Gordon Igesund led SuperSport United to the very same trophy in the 2014/15 season when they beat Platinum Stars in the final.