Allan Freese is standing his ground at Magesi FC. Despite the club's 13-match winless run, the coach insists he needs to be judged on his own record since arriving in February. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Magesi FC head coach Allan Freese has hit back at criticism surrounding the club’s prolonged winless run, insisting he should be judged solely on his record since taking charge.
Magesi’s struggles continued with a defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, a 2-0 result that left them rooted to the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings with 14 points from 21 matches. The defeat extended the club’s winless run to 13 matches across all competitions — a statistic that continues to define their season. But Freese has drawn a clear line between the past and his tenure.
“I’ve been here for five games, don’t tell me about other games. This is a different person,” he said.
The veteran coach, who replaced John Maduka in February, was quick to break down his own record since stepping into the role.
“Five games, three draws and two losses, that’s where I am,” he explained.
“So let’s not paint a picture of a particular coach. In football you can say Magesi are winless in 13 games and you’re right, but be specific. Come straight to me and say I’ve lost so many games.”
Freese’s focus, however, extends beyond statistics. Having inherited a side low on confidence, his immediate task has been to rebuild belief within the squad — a process he admits is ongoing.
“I’m trying to instill confidence into the boys,” he said. “In football, there’s a win and there’s a lose but as individuals, you have to help the team.”
The coach also stressed the importance of collective responsibility, rejecting any notion of individuals distancing themselves from results.
“Because when you play football, there’s 11 people and you can’t say ‘me I wasn’t there when we lost against Kaizer Chiefs’ because you were there and part of the team.”
For Freese, leadership in this moment is about unity and accountability as much as it is about tactics.
“My job is to give confidence and try and take the team out of where we are at the moment,” he added.
Complicating matters further is the reality of working within limitations. Freese revealed he has had no opportunity to reshape the squad since his arrival, forcing him to maximise the resources already available.
“Unfortunately, I came in during a period where we can’t sign anybody,” he said.
“So, even if I see that we’re lacking somewhere, I can’t buy someone. I’ve got to work with what I have and give them what I have.”
With time running out and pressure mounting, Freese’s message is clear — judge the process, not just the history. But in the unforgiving reality of the Betway Premiership, results will ultimately decide whether that process is enough.