The 40-year-old has been given an opportunity to prove his mettle as a coach. After working as an assistant to Adnan Beganovic, he is now at the helm of the Rockets, who are in the Nedbank Cup final, which is a big test for him.
The Rockets' chairman has opened up on the difficult decision to sack the 43-year-old coach, admitting that the terrifying reality of relegation left him with no other choice. Despite a three-year tenure that saw the coach become a staple of the club's identity, a disastrous winless run forced the Mpumalanga-based side's hierarchy to swing the axe.
Berhalter has hailed rising Mzansi star after the player's standout Major League Soccer debut. The 21-year-old was thrust into the starting XI as the Men in Red ran riot in a 5-0 demolition of rivals Sporting Kansas City, leaving the Chicago Fire mentor glowing over his prospect's immediate impact.
The Amakhosi legend has stepped in from his role as assistant coach at a pivotal moment for the Mpumalanga club, as they look to salvage their season with silverware. Fully aware of the challenges facing the Rockets, the man in charge remains determined to put the campaign’s struggles behind them by delivering glory in the Ke Yona final.
The Rockets fired Adnan Beganovic last week as the team is edging closer to a major Cup final against Durban City. A former Amakhosi star takes charge, but on an interim basis, which is his first time being head coach of a Premier Soccer League.
Former top-flight head coach has broken his silence following his sudden departure from the club, admitting that being denied the chance to lead his team into a cup final is a bitter pill to swallow. The 43-year-old tactician was relieved of his duties by the chairman this week, ending a nearly two-year tenure just as the club reaches the business end of the season.
Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.
How many teams are in the Conference League?
The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.
Who has made the most Conference League appearances ever?
Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Conference League?
As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Who has the most assists in the history of the Conference League?
Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Conference League and how old was he?
Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Conference League and how old was he?
Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.
Which famous players have played in the Conference League?
Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.
Which famous managers have managed in the Conference League?
Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.