If you pay three men to do a job one can do, you might have more money than sense.
That’s me trying my best to do an impression of Steve Komphela.
I think if you asked him this question before getting an offer from Mamelodi Sundowns, then I’m sure the man with a million proverbs would have come up with something close to my attempt.
But that’s a moot point now that Komphela is part of what has already been dubbed in parts as the Three Wise Men - alongside Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s the incredible succession plan to replace Pitso Mosimane at Chloorkop.
After Pitso packed his bags for Egypt, the big question was who would lead Downs.
It will be a tough act to follow, not just after the treble season that was, but Bra Jingles’ entire eight-year tenure in Pretoria.
So club president Patrice Motsepe decided to get three manne. Maybe he thinks that’s one coach to defend each trophy.
After all, he can afford it.
So maybe the proverb should be: If you pay three men to do a job one can, you’re over-compensating.
Or maybe I’m being cynical. So let me try to rework that proverb again: If you pay three men to do a job one can do, be prepared for one to quit and fire another.
I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying “Too many cooks spoil the broth”.
And in the world of coaching, I think this one will ring true as well.
Coaching by committee hardly ever works.
The setup at Downs is Mngqithi and Mokwena as joint head coaches with Komphela as senior coach.
According to the club, that means that Komphela - the most experienced coach - will report to the manne who were Pitso’s assistants.
Now, it was already going to be interesting with those two incumbents being on the same footing for the new season. But with a third, it’s overkill.
Who is going to agree on whose vision for the team? Who will brief who?
The buck has to stop somewhere. But where?
I guess they will just have to draw straws. Or have a three-way penalty shootout.
So maybe the proverb should be: If you pay three men to do the job one can do, then be prepared for all of them to fail.
There’s no denying that I think that this is a bad idea.
While it’s admirable for Motsepe to trust in Mngqithi and Mokwena - two talented South African coaches - and Komphela, I can’t help but think that “three heads is better than one” is misguided in this situation.
Having three different philosophies, methods and egos chasing one prize is a recipe for disaster.
Anyway, it’s going to be an interesting watch this season.
matthew.marcus@inl.co.za