Bernard Parker has conceded that becoming TS Galaxy head coach arrived “too early” in his career – yet the former Bafana Bafana striker insists he is ready to seize the opportunity and steer the club to a successful new season.
The 38-year-old was confirmed as permanent head coach by club chair Tim Sukazi after initially stepping in as caretaker last season, when the Rockets parted ways with Adnan Beganovic. Parker guided Galaxy away from the relegation battle, convincing Sukazi that continuity in the dugout was the best route forward.
Parker, who previously starred for Kaizer Chiefs and South Africa, acknowledges the scale of the challenge but believes his experience and support structure will help him grow into the role.
“I felt like it came too early because I feel I still have a lot of school fees to pay in becoming the head coach,” Parker said.
“But then with the type of experience I have and the type of people I have around me, it helps. The same with the chairman; he is giving me the blessing, and I said, ‘Why not?’
“As brave as I am, as confident as I am, I believe that I had to take this opportunity and make sure I make the best of it, and I’m confident I will make the best of it.”
Chair’s faith after survival push
Sukazi entrusted Parker with the team on a temporary basis during a turbulent spell last campaign, after the club split with Beganovic. Under Parker’s guidance, TS Galaxy stabilised and pulled clear of the drop zone, persuading the hierarchy that he was the right man to lead a longer-term project.
Sukazi has publicly lauded Parker’s leadership qualities and dressing-room influence, arguing that his smooth transition from player to coach gave Galaxy much-needed stability. The chairman has framed Parker’s appointment as a logical extension of the work he began as caretaker.
Parker revealed that discussions over his future started months ago and that the club’s planning for this season began even before the end of the last campaign.
World Cup trip doubled as planning window
Parker said the decision to continue with him as head coach was effectively made before he travelled to the Fifa World Cup as part of a legends delegation.
“The chairman told me before going to the World Cup with the legends; he said to me, ‘When we come back, we will plan.’
“And during that time, we were on the phone every day in terms of the plans, the players, and also what we are looking forward to in everything we want to achieve in the coming season.”
Those conversations laid the groundwork for a squad overhaul and tactical reset, as TS Galaxy look to move from survival mode to pushing for a stronger league finish.
Rebuilding job and pre-season challenge
Parker admits his first full pre-season in charge has been demanding, with significant player turnover forcing him to accelerate the team’s rebuild.
“Pre-season has been going well. It’s my first preseason as a head coach, and so far so good. It’s not easy at a team like TS Galaxy where you lose so many players and you get to have so many [new] players in.
“You have to make sure the players get to understand the culture and the philosophy and how we want to gear ourselves up so that we can be ready for the first game of the season.”
Instilling a clear identity and team culture is central to Parker’s approach, as he seeks to blend new arrivals with existing squad members and embed his footballing philosophy ahead of the league kick-off.
From dressing-room leader to man in the dugout
Parker, one of South African football’s most experienced forwards in the modern era, is embarking on his first full campaign as a head coach after a long playing career that included spells in Europe and a trophy‐laden period with Kaizer Chiefs.
His swift move into management at TS Galaxy underlines the trust placed in him by Sukazi and the club’s leadership. While he openly admits he is still learning on the job, Parker’s self-belief, combined with his familiarity with the domestic game, has convinced Galaxy that he can front a new era for the Rockets.
As the new season approaches, the former Bafana Bafana star will be judged on results rather than reputation – but Parker is adamant he has taken the right step at the right time, even if it feels “early”, and is determined to prove he can thrive in the hot seat.
