Foreign or local for Bafana?

Okay so who's going to replace Carlos Alberto Parreira as Bafana Bafana coach?

We know SAFA is willing to pay almost anything for a world-class coach, so money is not really an object. The first question will be - foreigner or local. Parreira is a great coach, who has done wonders for the long-term success of South Africa football, but in leaving (for family reasons) he has highlighted why an international coach is not ideal; there'll always be a part of him that's simply not at home in a foreign country.

However, each individual is different and coaches with less personal commitments could flourish in vibrant SA. Portuguese tactician, Jose Mourinho certainly would. He's currently unattached, after leaving Chelsea under a cloud earlier this season, but has been linked to Inter Milan for next season. He could be more expensive and demanding than Parreira, but would be worth every cent.

Jomo Sono took Bafana to the 2002 world cup, so he has some big stage experience. He's also a legendary figure and it would be a great story for him to lead the team during an historic world cup, having been denied the opportunity during his years as a world class player.

Clive Barker is South Africa's most successful coach on the basis that he won the 1996 African Nations Cup. Granted it was on home soil, Barker is still a coach that can instill passion, commitment and heart, attributes I think will be the determining factors for the home side in 2010.

Gordon Igesund is the country's best local club coach, having won the most PSL titles, but can he make the step up to national level? Maybe. I just get a sense that two years is too little time for a coa! ch like Igesund to work his magic and adapt to the vastly diff! erent wo rld of international soccer.

Pitso Mosimane has been in charge of Bafana for very short stints and some say he has had a lot of influence over the Bafana side as the assistant over the past year. In saying that, it might not count in his favour considering Bafana's inconsistent performance graph.

Steve Komphela failed to take the national under 23's to Beijing, so many would put a big cross next to his name immediately, but he does have a lot to offer. Komphela was Bafana's first captain post isolation and is a well-traveled and qualified coach. He also identified and nurtured many of the current Bafana players as under 23 coach.

So there you have it. Who would you employ to bring glory to the nation?