Soweto Derby kings: The five most successful coaches in PSL history

The Soweto Derby, a fierce fixture between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, has seen a handful of coaches achieve remarkable success. Since the Premier Soccer League era commenced in 1996/97, only a select group of managers have repeatedly conquered South Africa's most significant club clash. This report delves into the top five coaches in PSL-era Soweto Derby history, ranked by their victories.

At the pinnacle of this list stands Stuart Baxter, who set the benchmark with a record five victories during his two spells as Kaizer Chiefs' coach. Baxter claimed three derbies in his initial tenure and added two more in his second, solidifying his status as the most successful coach in the rivalry at the time. His record stood unchallenged until José Riveiro matched it in 2025.

Spanish tactician Riveiro, during his three-year tenure at Orlando Pirates, also achieved five derby victories, drawing level with Baxter. His success was particularly noteworthy as he had faced defeats in his first two derby encounters before turning the tide in the rivalry. Middendorp follows closely with four derby wins for Chiefs, spanning two spells at the club.

The German coach's record highlights the challenges of sustaining success in a fixture where form and league position often take a backseat to derby-day pressure.

Ertugral, a Turkish coach, and Vermezovic, a Serbian coach, join the list with three derby victories each while coaching Kaizer Chiefs. Both tacticians were known for building competitive Chiefs sides and added to the group of managers who had triumphed against Pirates multiple times. Similarly, Ruud Krol and Milutin Sredojevic, popularly known as Micho, are among Pirates' representatives in the three-win bracket.

The duo each secured three derby victories during their spells with the Buccaneers, demonstrating that derby success has not been exclusive to Chiefs coaches.

The list also underscores the difficulty experienced by coaches in dominating the fixture over an extended period. Even seasoned tacticians have struggled to translate repeated meetings into consistent victories. These records serve as a measure of a coach's legacy, reflecting not only their silverware but also their performances in the Soweto Derby, a fixture that holds immense significance for both fan bases.