Former Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler is poised for an immediate return to South African football, with Betway Premiership side Durban City emerging as his expected next destination following his departure from the Ghanaian giants.
Tinkler officially left Kotoko on Monday, September 28, less than 24 hours after the Porcupine Warriors suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Aduana FC in the Ghana Premier League.
The Kumasi-based club announced that they had mutually agreed to release the South African tactician from his contract after he requested to leave for personal reasons. Kotoko disclosed that efforts were made to persuade the former Cape Town City coach to continue, but both parties ultimately agreed to end their association.
His exit has paved the way for a swift return home, with reports indicating that Durban City are preparing to appoint the experienced 55-year-old as their new head coach.
Durban City are currently without a manager after dismissing Tunisian coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who spent just three months in charge. During his tenure, Ben Youssef recorded one win, four draws and two defeats in seven Betway Premiership matches, although he successfully guided the club past Burundi’s Rukinzo FC in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Interestingly, Tinkler had been one of the leading contenders for the Durban City job before the club opted to appoint Ben Youssef in June. With the position vacant once again, the former Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United, Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United coach is now expected to finally take over the role.
Tinkler arrived at Asante Kotoko ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season amid high expectations, tasked with restoring the club to the summit of Ghanaian football. However, his stay in Kumasi proved short-lived, ending after only a handful of league matches, with the defeat to Aduana FC becoming his final game in charge.
Should the move be finalised, Tinkler will inherit a Durban City side competing in both the Betway Premiership and the CAF Confederation Cup, offering him an immediate opportunity to rebuild his coaching career in familiar surroundings.
Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko have turned their attention to identifying a successor as they seek to revive their Ghana Premier League campaign following Tinkler’s unexpected exit.
