Galaxy shut the door on Da Gama after early season failures

TS Galaxy announced on Monday that they had parted ways with Owen Da Gama, after a poor start to the PSL season.

“Following a string of poor results at the start of this season’s DStv Premiership, the club has severed ties with coach Owen Da Gama with immediate effect,” said Galaxy in a club statement.

“Mr. Da Gama took over the coaching reins at TS Galaxy Football Club in January but the Rockets have endured turbulent times since the start of the 2021/22 Dstv Premiership season.

“The Rockets are going through a barren run of results in the league. After five league outings, the Club is yet to register a victory. As a result, the Rockets are languishing at the foot of the table with two points after five games.

“Both parties took an amicable decision to cut ties.”

TS Galaxy FC President Tim Sukazi added that Shaun Bartlett, the assistant coach to Da Gama, would take over as interim head coach for the time being.

“This is one of those bitter pills that we had to swallow as a Club given the kind of contribution that Coach Owen has made to our Club. Unfortunately, we have had a faulty start to the season and with football being a result-driven business, decisions like this are bound to be taken at some point or another if results aren’t forthcoming. Our new focus from now on is to get the team back on track. Coach Shaun is taking over the reins in an interim capacity until a final decision on the Head Coach is made.” said Sukazi.

“It is always sad when a fellow colleague is relieved of his duties,” added Bartlett.

“I’ve been requested by the club to take over on an interim basis and see how we can turn things around and try and get the best out of the players. The next game is the most important one. Coach Owen had done several good things here. We have to build on that and not disregard some of the things he has done here. We’ve got to pay tribute to the coach for what he has done in such a short space of time,” Bartlett stated.