Watch VideoEXCLUSIVE | Ben Youssef leads Durban City coaching race after Tinkler talks stall

FORMER Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Ben Khalil Youssef is reportedly the front runner for the Durban City coaching job. Ben Khalil Youssef has moved into pole position to become the new head coach of Durban City, with the formerKaizer Chiefs co-coachnow the leading candidate for the vacant role as the KwaZulu-Natal side shape their long-term project. The 2026 Nedbank Cup championsare searching for a permanent successor to Pitso Dladla, who impressed in an interim spell by steering the club to silverware and a strong finish in theBetway Premiershipduring their first season back in top-flight football.

Dladla’s short tenure proved pivotal in stabilising the team after a turbulent managerial start to the campaign, which included spells under Gavin Hunt and Sinethemba Badela before the club eventually settled into form under his leadership. Now, with CAF Confederation Cup football on the horizon, Durban City are prioritising experience, structure and continental readiness in their next appointment. This publication has established that while former Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler was initially a strong internal favourite, discussions have since slowed after key disagreements over staffing structure. Tinkler is understood to have requested his own personnel in the technical team, a condition Durban City’s hierarchy were reluctant to fully accept as they aim to maintain continuity within their football department.