Top 10 highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa in 2025: a detailed list
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is the top-tier South African football league. It is also called the Betway Premiership for sponsorship purposes. The league is among the best-paying in Africa, with players and coaches earning significant amounts. Discover the highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa and their earnings.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa in 2025
- 10. Dan Malesela - R2.64 million annually
- 9. Steve Barker - R4.8 million annually
- 8. Molefi Ntseki - R5.4 million annually
- 7. Gavin Hunt - R5.76 million annually
- 6. Steve Komphela - R6 million – R7.2 million annually
- 5. Eric Tinkler - R7.8 million annually
- 4. José Riveiro - R7.8 million annually
- 3. John Maduka - R8.7 million annually
- 2. Manqoba Mngqithi - R9 million annually
- 1. Rhulani Mokwena - R10.2 million annually
- Who is the highest-paid coach in PSL in 2025?
- Who is the highest-paid coach in PSL in 2025 per month?
- How much does the Orlando Pirates' coach earn per month?
- Who is the youngest coach in the PSL?
- Who is the highest-paid player in the South African PSL?
- How much are coaches paid in South Africa?
- How much is Kaizer Chiefs' new coach's salary?
Key takeaways
- The best-paid coaches in the PSL bring out the best in South African football.
- They create an excellent relationship with players to help them improve their skills and performance.
- Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi are among the best-paid coaches in the Betway Premiership.
Highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa in 2025
Most renowned coaches have worked in the South African soccer industry for decades. Some coaches have served multiple top-tier teams in the league. The list below shows all the ten highest-paid PSL coaches and their annual salaries.
| Ranking | Name | Salary |
| 1 | Rhulani Mokwena | R10.2 million annually |
| 2 | Manqoba Mngqithi | R9 million annually |
| 3 | John Maduka | R8.7 million annually |
| 4 | José Riveiro | R7.8 million annually |
| 5 | Eric Tinkler | R7.8 million annually |
| 6 | Steve Komphela | R6 million – R7.2 million annually |
| 7 | Gavin Hunt | R5.76 million annually |
| 8 | Molefi Ntseki | R5.4 million annually |
| 9 | Steve Barker | R4.8 million annually |
| 10 | Dan Malesela | R2.64 million annually |
Most of these coaches have incredible records in their careers. Note that the salaries are approximate figures and may be higher or lower depending on numerous factors. Here is a breakdown of the tacticians.
10. Dan Malesela - R2.64 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Dan Malesela
- Date of birth: 27 June 1965
- Age: 59 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: South Africa
- Current team: Marumo Gallants
- Coaching license: Licensed trainer
Coach Dan Malesela's salary at the TS Galaxy was around R220,000 monthly (R2.64 million annually). He trained Chippa United before joining the Marumo Gallants.
Malesela left for Royal AM in July 2022 and then returned to Marumo in September 2022. He also coached the Sundowns, Chippa United, United FC, and the All-Stars between 2012 and 2022. Dan Malesela's salary is still about R2.64 million annually.
9. Steve Barker - R4.8 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Steven Robert Barker
- Date of birth: 23 December 1967
- Age: 57 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Maseru, Lesotho, South Africa
- Current team: Stellenbosch FC
- Coaching license: UEFA A License
Stellenbosch FC pays Steve Barker R400,000 per month (R4.8 million annually), making him one of the highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa. The South African soccer coach served AmaZulu FC, U. Pretoria, and the Black Aces before joining Stellenbosch FC in 2017. His contract will end on 30 June 2026.
8. Molefi Ntseki - R5.4 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Molefi Ntseki
- Date of birth: 18 August 1969
- Age: 55 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Botshabelo, South Africa
- Current team: Kaizer Chiefs
- Coaching license: SAFA Pro Licence
In May 2021, Molefi Ntseki became Head of Technical and Youth Development Academy at Kaizer Chiefs. In June 2023 he became head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, before being sacked in October 2023. The coach earns about R450,000 monthly (R5.4 million annually).
Coach Molefi Ntseki was a manager of the national Under-17 team in 2019 and an academy manager of the Amakhosi in 2021. Under his leadership, the Glamour Boys won 17 out of 37 matches in all competitions.
7. Gavin Hunt - R5.76 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Gavin John Hunt
- Date of birth: 11 July 1964
- Age: 60 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa
- Current team: SuperSport United
- Coaching license: UEFA A License
SuperSport United pays Gavin John R480,000 monthly (R5.76 million annually). The former South African football player retired after encountering an Achilles tendon injury and went right into coaching.
One of his biggest victories as a team manager was when SuperSport United won the PSL three consecutive times from the 2007/08 season to the 2009/10 season. Gavin Hunt was a team manager for Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Wits FC, Black Leopards, Moroka Swallows, Hellenic FC, and Chippa United in the past.
6. Steve Komphela - R6 million – R7.2 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Steven Mbuyi Komphela
- Date of birth: 1 July 1967
- Age: 57 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Kroonstad, South Africa
- Current team: Moroka Swallows FC
- Coaching license: Licensed trainer
Steve Komphela, the former Sundowns' coach, is the manager of Mamelodi Sundowns FC. Komphela played for Bafana Bafana before becoming a coach at the Manning Rangers FC in 2002. His excellent performance has seen him manage the Dynamos FC, Kaizer Chiefs, the Golden Arrows, Bloemfontein Celtic, and more teams in South Africa.
Coach Steve Komphela's salary per month is high because he has vast experience. He used to earn R500,000 – R600,000 per month (R6 million – R7.2 million annually) at the Sundowns. One of the best times Steve Komphela had in his career was helping the Bloemfontein Celtic win the first six consecutive league games in the 2018–2019 Premier Soccer League.
5. Eric Tinkler - R7.8 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Eric Tinkler
- Date of birth: 30 July 1970
- Age: 54 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Roodepoort, South Africa
- Coaching license: UEFA Pro License
Eric Tinkler joined Cape Town City as a coach and left the position on 31 December 2024. The former Cape Town City FC manager took home R650,000 monthly (R7.8 million annually). Eric Tinkler previously managed Maritzburg United, Chippa United, Orlando Pirates, and SuperSport United. His coaching career began in 2012 at Wits University as an assistant manager.
4. José Riveiro - R7.8 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: José Luis Riveiro
- Date of birth: 15 September 1975
- Age: 49 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Vigo, Spain
- Current team: Orlando Pirates FC
- Coaching License: UEFA Pro License
Coach José Riveiro is also among the highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa, with a R650,000 monthly salary (R7.8 million annually). The Spanish soccer expert was a manager at Celta Vigo Yout and FC Inter Turku and an assistant manager at PK-35, FC Honka, and HJK Helsinki between 2014 and 2021.
3. John Maduka - R8.7 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: John Maduka
- Date of birth: 27 September 1970
- Age: 54 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Malawi
- Current team: Royal AM FC
- Coaching license: UEFA A License
John Maduka, a Malawian soccer coach, used to play for Bloemfontein Celtic until his retirement in 2009. He became the Royal AM FC's head coach in 2023, and the club pays him about R725,000 per month (R8.7 million annually). John Maduka also coached Maritzburg United in 2022.
2. Manqoba Mngqithi - R9 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Manqoba Brilliant Ferrimant Mngqithi
- Date of birth: 25 April 1971
- Age: 53 years (as of February 2025)
- Place of birth: Umzimkulu, South Africa
- Coaching license: UEFA A License
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi made about R750,000 monthly (R9 million annually) as Mamelodi Sundowns' head of first-team football. He has served the club since 2014 and recently left the team.
Before joining the Sundowns, Manqoba Mngqithi coached the Golden Arrows, Chippa United, and the AmaZulu FC between 2007 and 2012. His contract with the Sundowns ended on 30 June 2024.
1. Rhulani Mokwena - R10.2 million annually
Source: UGC
- Full name: Rulani Mokwena
- Date of birth: 8 January 1987
- Age: 38 years (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns FC
- Coaching license: Licensed trainer
Rhulani Mokwena comes from a family of soccer enthusiasts. He is the son of Julias Sono (a former Orlando Pirates player) and the nephew of Jomo Sono (a South African football club owner, coach, and former professional footballer).
The South African football coach had been at Mamelodi Sundowns since October 2022. He is currently serving as the Wydad AC manager. Rhulani Mokwena's salary in 2025 is yet to be disclosed after moving to Wydad AC, but he is still ranked as the highest-paid soccer coach in South Africa.
Coach Rhulani Mokwena managed Chippa United and was an assistant at the Orlando Pirates. His R850,000 monthly salary at Sundowns (10.2 million annually) made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the PSL.
Who is the highest-paid coach in PSL in 2025?
Rhulani Mokwena is ranked as the highest-paid coach in South Africa in the PSL. He earned about R850,000 monthly (R10.2 million annually) at Mamelodi Sundowns. He is currently managing Wydad AC.
Who is the highest-paid coach in PSL in 2025 per month?
Rhulani Mokwena of the Mamelodi Sundowns is the highest-paid PSL coach per month, with an R850,000 monthly salary.
How much does the Orlando Pirates' coach earn per month?
Head coach José Luis Riveiro of the Orlando Pirates earns around R650,000 monthly (R7.8 million annually).
Who is the youngest coach in the PSL?
Tony De Nobrega is said to have been the youngest coach in the history of the PSL. He started coaching at Bloemfontein Celtic at 32 or 33.
Who is the highest-paid player in the South African PSL?
The highest-paid soccer player in South Africa's PSL is Samir Nurkovic with an estimated monthly salary of R930,000.
How much are coaches paid in South Africa?
The compensation packages for South African coaches vary widely depending on the sport, experience, previous working history, and negotiating power.
How much is Kaizer Chiefs' new coach's salary?
Nasreddine Nabi is the new Kaizer Chiefs head coach, a position he assumed in July 2024. While it was reported that Nabi would earn 33.5% more than his salary at FAR Rabat, his pay at Chiefs has yet to be confirmed.
The highest-paid PSL coaches in South Africa have vast experience in football. Most of the best-paid coaches were professional players before becoming coaches.
Briefly.co.za recently published a list of the highest-paid players at Mamelodi Sundowns, a Pretoria-based South African professional football club.
As one of the leading teams in the first tier of the South African football league system, the Sundowns is also one of the highest-paying football clubs in South Africa. The club was founded in 1970 and competes in the top tier of South African football, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Source: Briefly News
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