Richards Bay FC are considering whether to dismiss coach Dimitar Pantev after a difficult start to the Betway Premiership season.
The Natal Rich Boyz have not won any of their nine Betway Premiership matches this campaign and are currently bottom of the standings. Their poor run has also continued in other competitions, with the club suffering six consecutive defeats across all competitions.
Pantev was appointed on 21 September 2026, but the Bulgarian has already come under pressure on the East Coast. The 50-year-old previously coached Simba SC, Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy.
According to FARPost’s Sinethemba Makonco, Richards Bay FC management are assessing Pantev’s position. Internal discussions are expected to determine whether he remains in charge.
The club’s latest defeat came against Kruger United, adding to a series of damaging results since Pantev’s arrival. Those losses have increased pressure on the technical team and left Richards Bay FC facing a difficult decision over the direction of the season.
The management must weigh the team’s performances against the limited time Pantev has had to introduce his methods. Although the results have been disappointing, changing coaches so soon after his appointment may not automatically provide the improvement the club needs.
Pantev’s brief spell has been defined by a lack of victories and a six-match losing streak across all competitions. Richards Bay FC’s position at the foot of the Betway Premiership table has intensified the scrutiny surrounding the coach and his staff.
Any decision would come at a challenging stage of the campaign, with the league season already proving difficult for the club. A further change in the dugout would also represent another significant intervention as Richards Bay FC attempt to recover from their current run.
The coming days could therefore prove decisive for Pantev, with management reportedly continuing to assess the situation. Richards Bay FC have not yet made an official announcement about the coach’s future.
