Yes. Mr Peter James Butler!

Thuso Palai | Friday February 21, 2014 12:39

The social commentary scene has been abuzz with opinions over the newly appointed National team coach Mr Peter James Butler. Before it was revealed that he would be the next Zebras coach, I bet not many in Botswana knew about him. He is an unknown quantity. We started doing a bit of research on him last week, and as is customary, most of our opinion was based on his CV and our personal preferences. 

I heard him for the first time at a Press Conference where he was introduced and he said the right things. Now we wait to see if he will walk the talk and deliver on what he promised. He seems like a man with confidence and he was not mincing his words when outlining his Vision. I picked a few quotes from his inaugural engagement with the media and sensed a man in mean mood and looking to prove himself. Whether or not he achieves that remains to be seen. I particularly liked it when he said, ‘Football is a result oriented sport, and I will be judged on results'. Atleast he knows that we want results and that, if they don’t come, we will be all over him like a bad rash. Responding to concerns and overtures that he is just here on holiday, he said; 'I’m not a tourist, I’m not here on Safari, I’m here for the challenge. I’m not here for the money, as I could be in Asia earning more money'. That was cheeky, but he makes a great point. 

Butler has the highest qualifications that one can get; the UEFA elite Licence. That seems to have impressed the Sebego led BFA. However, in terms of experience his CV is a bit light as he has coached in lesser known countries when it comes to football. He has never coached a national team before and that might be his undoing. I was one of the first people to admit that his CV is very light when it comes to national teams, but I will not judge him on that. He has not coached in any world recognised top League, he has been a bit of a journeyman,  being very mobile, and he has no international team experience.  For me; that drives me to the conclusion that his CV is somewhat light. Someone else might not agree with that, but that’s how I see it. Even though I have admitted that his CV is light and he is no world beater, I will stand by him and give him the benefit of the doubt; Atleast for now. Thus far he has not given me a reason to doubt him and I refuse to do so based on his past. One might turn around and say; but he hasn’t achieved anything anywhere. Well; my response would be, ‘everyone starts somewhere’, and maybe this is the place for Butler to start winning and making a name for himself. I’m an eternal optimist. 

Most of the social commentary has been rather negative, and I fail to understand why we would knock something or in this case, someone that we don’t know without giving them a chance. We all agree that he is no world beater, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.  As much as we can vent and disparage Butler, the fact of the matter is that he has been appointed and as patriots, we should take away our aspersions and support him. If he fails us, then we can start venting. For now, I have no reason to vent. FACT; Mr Butler is not the most decorated coach we could have got, but due to many circumstances and factors, we have him. The least we can do as Batswana is to give him the benefit of the doubt, and if he fails, he goes. Simple as that. 

Quotable Quote: 'Thank you very much for the opportunity and I will not let you down’