Butler poised to return as technical director
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 10, 2017 14:49
Butler left the Zebras after criticising his employer, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) at the end of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania in June.
He immediately joined Platinum Stars in South Africa, but did not last long in the Absa Premiership, leaving after losing the first two games of the season.
Sources said Butler is being considered for a new role as technical director, as BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti revamps the secretariat.
“He is being considered as he is seen as the right man to drive development. He has a passion of working with young players, and that’s why Letshwiti sees him as the right man,” the source said.
Letshwiti did not rule out Butler’s return, leaving all options open.
“Peter Butler was sick of BFA politics which was stifling his progress. He wanted my help, but I could not give a guarantee that I will fire everyone at BFA. He didn’t leave because I wanted him to leave, he left because he couldn’t stomach the BFA politics anymore.
“I am busy doing a situational analysis. I have to identify a technical director, and Peter Butler might come back if he meets the scope.
“I am not going to elect a TD, but make a selection of three people then get the FIFA technical department to come and evaluate a suitable TD,” Letshwiti said.
Butler said he was interested in the position.
“I would be interested as I know the country’s talent well. My record is there, I rebuilt the Zebras with young talent and took them to number 87 in the world rankings until we stopped playing games. I develop and produce players. You don’t go anywhere until you create your own DNA (identity).
You need to continue on the path of integrating youngsters with a sprinkling of experience. I have shown that we can beat teams like Mali and Burkina Faso with young and upcoming players,” Butler told Mmegi Sport.
It would be interesting to see how Butler and Zebras coach, David Bright work together, after the Briton described his successor as a “dinosaur” for recalling aging players.