Ben Khalil Youssef has moved into pole position to become the new head coach of Durban City, with the former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach now the leading candidate for the vacant role as the KwaZulu-Natal side shape their long-term project.
The 2026 Nedbank Cup champions are 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 the Betway Premiership during 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.
That has opened the door for Youssef to take the lead in the race.
The Tunisian-born coach brings valuable continental pedigree, holding a CAF A Licence and having worked at elite level as part of AS FAR Rabat’s technical setup.
He also brings recent familiarity with South African football, having first arrived at Kaizer Chiefs as part of Nasreddine Nabi’s technical team before later stepping into a co-coaching role alongside Cédric Kaze.
That partnership delivered a strong campaign at Chiefs, with Amakhosi finishing third in the Betway Premiership to secure CAF Confederation Cup qualification and MTN8 football.
For Durban City, Youssef represents both continuity in modern coaching structure and alignment with their growing ambitions on the continental stage.
Club officials are believed to be focused on avoiding another managerial reset, instead targeting a coach capable of building on the foundation laid during their successful return season.
With discussions ongoing, Youssef is now seen as the frontrunner as Durban City edge closer to finalising one of the most important appointments in their recent history.
