Steve Barker’s recent departure from Stellenbosch, after eight-and-a-half
transformative years, marks the end of a rare era in the modern Premier
Soccer League. In a landscape often defined by coaching turnover, his
tenure highlights a select group of managers whose sustained success has
defined clubs and shaped the league’s history. Here are the top five
longest-serving head coaches of the PSL era.
5. Pitso Mosimane (SuperSport United) – 6 Years
(July 2001 – June 2007)
Mosimane laid a formidable foundation at Matsatsantsa, turning them into
consistent title contenders and trophy winners. Though the league
championship eluded him during this period, he established the blueprint
for the success that would follow.
4. Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United) – 6 Years, 5 Months
(July 2007 – May 2013)
Taking over a team primed for glory, Hunt delivered spectacularly. He
guided SuperSport United to an unprecedented three consecutive league
titles from 2007 to 2010, cementing his reputation as a master tactician
and proving the value of continuity.
3. Gavin Hunt (Bidvest Wits) – 7 Years, 4 Months
(May 2013 – September 2020)
After moving to Bidvest Wits, Hunt built another powerhouse. He secured
four consecutive top-three finishes before the crowning achievement:
leading the “Clever Boys” to their first-ever league title in their
96-year history during the 2016/17 season.
2. Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns) – 8 Years, 3 Months
(December 2012 – September 2020)
Arriving at a Sundowns side in turmoil, Mosimane orchestrated one of the
greatest managerial reigns in South African football history. He
stabilized the club and then dominated, winning five league titles, the
CAF Champions League, and multiple domestic cups, transforming the
Brazilians into a continental giant.
1. Steve Barker (Stellenbosch FC) – 8 Years, 5 Months
(July 2017 – December 2025)
Beginning as an assistant, Barker’s official tenure as head coach became a
masterclass in building a club from the ground up. He guided Stellenbosch
from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the top flight, where he
secured their first major trophy (the Carling Knockout), led them to
back-to-back MTN8 finals, and steered them to a historic CAF Confederation
Cup semi-final.
These tenures stand as powerful testaments to a simple truth: in an
impatient sport, time, trust, and a clear vision remain a coach’s most
powerful tools.
