Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
FORMER Highlanders coach; Pieter De Jongh is happy that he achieved what he was engaged to do when he joined the club four months ago.
He said his brief was simple, to save Highlanders from relegation.
And survive Bosso did, finishing 11th and he came close to repeating his 2019 feat of saving the team and winning the Chibuku Super Cup.
This year he reached the semi-finals of the tournament before losing to Dynamos on penalties.
“I achieved what I was engaged for. I was contracted to save Highlanders from relegation. Three days after I arrived I wrote to the club that there was no quality in the squad and that I needed reinforcements. I said to them that that being the case what is important is to motivate the boys.
“They were stressed and demotivated because of signing on fees that have been owing for two to three years. Bonuses were taking too long to come. From the time I arrived there were four strikes for bonuses and signing-on fees. That is not good for a big club like Highlanders. They must be more professional,” said De Jongh.
De Jongh said after saving the club, he expected a contract extension or a new one as he has twice proven himself at Highlanders.
“Two times I save Highlanders. First time I win a cup in four months and this time I reach Chibuku Super Cup and survive but club decided not to give me a chance to build a new Highlanders,” said De Jongh.
The Dutch coach is back in Kenya taking a break from football and managing his businesses which include bureau de change and farming with 40 employees.
