OFFICIAL: Bernard Parker retires, takes up new role at TS Galaxy

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Bernard Parker has officially retired from professional football and will take up a new role at TS Galaxy.

Parker, 38, spent the last two seasons at TS Galaxy following his departure from Chiefs, where he spent 11 years as a player.

At the end of last season, TS Galaxy boss confirmed intentions to keep both Parker and Vuyo Mere at the club but in non-playing roles.

Now, Parker has confirmed to SABC Sport that he’s officially the club’s DStv Diski Challenge head coach and that he will be assisted by Mere.

BERNARD PARKER RETIRES AND VENTURES INTO COACHING

“Now, as it stands, Bernard Parker is officially the head coach of the DDC team, and hopefully, I will be assisted by Vuyo Mere,” confirmed Parker.

“And I’m thankful and grateful to the chairman of TS Galaxy who he given us this opportunity, and I’m definitely sure that will make an impact into the boys’ lives.

“We are happy and grateful to give back to the team.”

“Pre-season wise, I’m working hard with the first team coach in terms of what needs to be done and what should be done.

“And I’m also on a learning curve as well as to how pre-season is done at this level as a coach, and me working closely with the first team coach, I think I will do a good job at DDC,” concluded Parker.

VETERAN ATTACKER TO REPRESENT CHIEFS ONE MORE TIME

Meanwhile, Parker will get to wear the Chiefs jersey for the first time since his departure from the club two seasons ago as reported by The South African.

However, Parker will NOT be representing the Chiefs first team but the Legends.

He has been included in the Amakhosi Legends Team for the first time, as confirmed by the club in a statement.

Parker spent 11 years with Chiefs between 2011 and 2022, and the club had extended an offer for him to return in a different capacity in future.

Now, he is returning to feature in the Chiefs Legends Team that will face Bloemfontein Celtic Legends in a friendly match on 28 July.

The encounter will serve as a curtain raiser for the inaugural Toyota Cup match between Chiefs and Tanzanian giants Young Africans.

According to Chiefs, the curtain raiser will kick off at 12:30 while the main event is scheduled for 15:00 at Toyota Stadium on the day.