Magesi FC coach and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Clinton Larsen has announced his resignation.
The 53-year-old was in charge as Dikwena tsa Meetse fell 3-0 against the Carling Knockout All-Stars team in the Carling Black Label Cup staged at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Magesi won the right to play in the game after defying the odds and beat favourites Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout final to win their first-ever major crown in South Africa's top-flight football.
Magesi players will get over my resignation – Larsen
“It is my last game today with Magesi Football Club and I just want to thank everybody, the players,” Larsen said after the game.
“I want to thank my technical team and management as well as our chairman, Dr. Solly Makhubela for giving me the honour of leading this project for the past two years. I really want to thank them for it and wish them everything the best moving forward.
“Time will tell how they [players] take it, some may be happy, some not. I know a lot of my players won’t be happy, but you know, they are strong. They’ll get over it and they’ll continue to try and do the club proud. What I’m affording the club at the moment to do is an opportunity to bring in fresh leadership, fresh voice, and fresh energy, and hopefully take the team to greater heights.”
How did Magesi lose on Saturday?
Magesi beat Jose Riveiro's Orlando Pirates 3-2 in the Round of 16, but against a select side coached by the Spaniard.
“We looked a bit flat today, seven away games in a row with all the traveling, I think it’s taken its toll on the players, no excuse,” Larsen continued.
“We lost to a way, way better team today, but I just want to keep thanking my players for everything they’ve done. You know, so proud of them, achieving what they have in the cup, winning the Carling knockout.
“Yes, it’s not happening for them in the league, but they’ve made history as a group of players, and I’m so grateful and proud of that.”
