Ambitious new TS Galaxy head coach Bernard Parker buoyed by positive pre-season

Parker was handed the coaching reins on an interim basis for the final five matches of the 2025/26 season following the dismissal of Adnan Beganovic.

He was appointed on a permanent contract following the completion of the campaign with a remit to improve on last season's 12th-placed finish.

Galaxy recently claimed top honours with victory in the Mpumalanga Premier's Cup this past weekend.

"Pre-season has been going well," explained the head coach on Soccer Laduma: "It's my first pre-season as a head coach and so far so good.

"It's not easy at a team like TS Galaxy where you lose so many players and you get to have so many (new) players in. You have to make sure the players get to understand the culture and the philosophy and how we want to gear ourselves up, so that we can be ready for the first game of the season."

Galaxy have so far signed a number of new players, including Sifiso Ngobeni, Edson Khumalo, Zuko Gxabusa, Camagu Mdevulana, Siphesihle Tati, Nhlakanipho Ngwenya, Katekane Mhlongo, Thabelo Tshikweta, Azola Jakalashe, Lennol Mathebula, Mpho Maoke, Simthandile Sishi, Anslin William and Bongani van der Heiden.

Parker believes that having a full pre-season to prepare his team is a definite advantage.

"Yes, definitely. It was an advantage because the chairman told me I left before the World Cup with the legends for the opening game. 

"He told me before then and he said we were going to plan when we come back and during that time we have been on the phone in terms of the plans and the players," said the head coach.