Never become complacent

Reaching 300 matches in charge of a single club is not a milestone that happens by accident in South African football. It speaks to discipline and a level of consistency that very few coaches have ever managed to sustain in a league known for volatility and constant turnover. For Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker, this journey has come with pressure that never switches off, scrutiny that grows with every result, and expectations that rise with every young talent that his club produces. Yet through all of it, he has remained steady, present, and unwavering in the values that have shaped Stellies into one of the most admired operations in the country. In Part One of this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, the Stellies coach reflects on the psychological battles behind the touchline, the unity that holds his dressing room together and the evolution that keeps him relevant. Coach Barker also opens up about the mechanisms, principles and perspectives that have fuelled his remarkable longevity.

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SB: First of all, there's obviously trust in what Wesley Sergel brings to the table. Wesley is a very astute tactical coach, he's got a really good football brain. He started out as an analyst, was one of the best analysts that I've worked with and then developed himself into the coaching side of things. He's very smart from a tactical point of view, especially in structuring training sessions to prepare the team for matches, both on the attacking and defending sides. He is not a yes-man, he will

disagree with me on certain things, and we'll discuss it and figure out what's the best way forward. So, I always bounce ideas off him because of the trust and knowledge that he has and the quality that he delivers. Again, it's about not being too comfortable with what the other is doing, it's about demanding more from each other, and that keeps setting the bar higher. We can't become complacent or stop looking for ways to improve things. He definitely tests certain things, asks certain questions, and has his own point of view, and together we figure it out. Once we've decided on a way forward, we trust that it's the right decision and we support each other to make it work.

DF: Looking back at your 300 games as coach, is there a tactical decision that was heavily criticised at the time but eventually proved you were right? Maybe one where people thought you had lost it, but you knew what you were doing?