Will Steve Barker Take His Stellenbosch Staff To Simba?

(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Siya sources have indicated that Steve Barker is unlikely to take his trusted technical staff with him following his move from Stellenbosch FC to Tanzanian giants Simba SC, with the trend in modern football pointing towards head coaches fitting into existing club structures rather than arriving with a full backroom team.

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Barker’s appointment at Simba has been confirmed, bringing an end to his six-year spell at Stellenbosch, where he worked closely with assistant coaches Wesley Sergel and Evangelos Vellios, goalkeeper coach Pernell McKop, and technical analyst Jean Prieur du Plessis.

The quartet formed a core part of the technical unit that helped guide Stellenbosch to their first-ever continental campaign and consistent Betway Premiership performances.

However, insiders suggest that Simba are expected to retain much of their current technical setup, with Barker stepping in as head coach rather than overseeing a wholesale restructuring behind the scenes.

This approach has become increasingly common at top African clubs, where institutional continuity and established performance departments often remain in place despite a change at the helm.

“The expectation is that Barker goes on his own,” a source told the Siya crew.

“Simba already have structures in place and, in modern football, clubs prefer the head coach to work within that framework instead of bringing an entire staff.”

Siya sources have previously revealed that the Tanzanian club’s interest dates back to last season’s CAF Confederation Cup, when Stellenbosch faced Simba during their maiden continental campaign. Barker’s tactical organisation and calm leadership during those encounters reportedly left a strong impression on Simba’s decision-makers.

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