The relationship between Black Leopards FC and the team's head coach, Mr Joel Masutha, is something of the past. Mr Masutha was placed on precautionary suspension early last month, but the suspension was later withdrawn after he had come to terms with the chairman of the club, Mr David Thidiela.
He coached the team in their game against University of Pretoria, which was played at the Absa Tuks Stadium in Pretoria two weeks ago, before he parted ways with the club last Saturday. When asked what had gone wrong between the two parties, the 49-year-old mentor could only reveal that it had something to do with his employment contract.
Masutha said that the two parties could not find common ground, despite all the efforts. He said that he was compelled to tender his resignation with immediate effect after realising that the two parties were still poles away from each other. He refused to elaborate further, saying the matter was strictly confidential.
When asked about his next stop, the former Chippa United head coach said that he had not received any employment offer from any club yet. He further said that he did receive a few telephone calls from the Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs, but nothing serious had surfaced.
Masutha said that he would be attending some coaching courses in Johannesburg over the next four weeks as a way to enrich his curriculum vitae. He concluded by saying he had no ill feelings towards Black Leopards or Mr David Thidiela.
Mr Thidiela confirmed that the relationship between his club and Masutha is part of history.