Bernard Parker admitted that his transition from playing to coaching has surprised not only a lot of people but himself as he is now a coach of TS Galaxy in the DStv Diski Challenge in the reserve league.  

Galaxy, who appointed former Kaizer Chiefs striker and captain during the off-season after he called it a quit, has seen the Rockets occupy fifth in the DStv Diski Challenge table with 23 points after 12 matches.   

“I have surprised a lot at Galaxy,” said Parker. 

While things have started well for him at Galaxy, Parker quickly took time to thank his chairman Tim Sukazi for affording him with an opportunity as a young coach. 

“Firstly, for the chairman who gave me the opportunity, the coach Sead Ramovic (ex-Galaxy coach) left and he had a belief in me that I would make a massive impact in his structure,” he said.  

“I believe so far so good, a good job thus far and we keep winning and the team above us keep winning which actually makes my job more interesting to work harder for myself as a coach.”  

Parker retired at the same time as Vuyo Mere last season, with the latter initially sharing the coaching duties at Galaxy in the DDC team before he was elevated to work with Adnan Beganovic as his assistant coach.  Together, they’ve instilled a winning mentality in the young players.

“The support of coach Vuyo Mere as well, (has been huge). So, that we stretch ourselves and put that mentality into the young players to get the mindset that anything is possible,” added Parker. 

“Through hard work and through the core values of principles that we preach every day that it is possible for you to achieve your dreams and we are on the right track thus far. 

“I couldn’t ask for everyone more in my life by giving me the support to maximize myself.”  

Parker, who is Chiefs all time goal scorer in the PSL era, says the part of being called a coach is still fresh and surreal. 

“It hasn’t sunk-in in being a coach,” he said. 

“Sometimes people do call me coach and I don’t respond because it hasn’t clicked yet. But it does on the field with the youngsters. I feel as a coach now my duties are to the youth and making sure that I get the best out of their talent and ability for them to achieve their dreams. 

“Sometimes in training, I do play with the players and what do you say ‘Lisegazini’ (football is in the blood). So far slowly, it has sunk in a little bit.”  

As Parker continues to evolve as a coach, he’ll face a nostalgic moment on 11 January 2015 when Galaxy takes on his former club, Kaizer Chiefs.