Ted Dumitru

Ted Dumitru

Personal information
Full name	Dumitru Teodorescu
Date of birth	(1939-09-02)2 September 1939
Place of birth	Bucharest, Kingdom of Romania
Date of death	26 May 2016(2016-05-26) (aged 76)
Place of death	Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Managerial career
Years	Team
1966	Universitatea Craiova
1967–1968	Romania U-23
1969–1970	Altay Izmir
1970–1971	Beşiktaş
1971	Mersin İdmanyurdu
1971–1973	Texas Longhorns
1974–1975	Rochester Lancers
1976–1980	New York Apollo
1980–1982	Zambia
1983–1985	Swaziland
1985–1988	Kaizer Chiefs
1994–1995	Tractor Sazi
1997–1999	Mamelodi Sundowns
1999–2000	Orlando Pirates
2000	Manning Rangers
2000–2001	Namibia
2001–2002	Mamelodi Sundowns
2003–2005	Kaizer Chiefs
2005–2006	South Africa

Theodore "Ted" Dumitru (born Dumitru Teodorescu; 2 September 1939 – 26 May 2016) was a Romanian football manager who is best known for his time in South Africa. Dumitru was one of few coaches who have led South Africa's 'big three' clubs Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.^[1]

Dumitru was brought to South Africa by the owner of Kaizer Chiefs, Kaizer Motaung, in 1985, Dumitru went on to become the most successful coach in South African professional football. The veteran coach had an illustrious career during which he amassed 18 trophies with Chiefs and Sundowns, including two back-to-back league championships with each side.

Career

Early coaching career in Romania and Turkey

Dumitru started playing football with local side

"He is more than a coach; he is a son of Africa. He is a humanist who puts sports well-being ahead of his profession."

In 1985, Dumitru joined South African side Kaizer Chiefs and won eight trophies with them during his three-year tenure. After leaving the club he worked in developing young players and local coaches across the country.

In 1992, he established the Chibuku Youth Centre in Soweto, which was the first development program in the country. He was later responsible for the Esselen Park School of Excellence that has produced players such as Steven Pienaar and Daine Klate.^[5]

In July 1997, he took over as coach at

He rejoined Mamelodi Sundowns and helped his side reach their first and only African Champions League Final in 2001, which they lost to record holders Al Ahly.^[6]

In June 2003, he returned to Kaiser Chiefs and won back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005, after which he retired from club coaching. In South Africa, Dumitru was nicknamed "Master Ted", "Mr Magic" or "The Professor", because of his studious approach to the game.^[7]

In November 2005, he was hired as

In 2009, Dumitru got involved with the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy. Dubbed "The Puk Tawana Project", it produced 26 players who went on to play professional football who were on an accelerated development programme for 18 months. Breaking records for the number of graduates from academy to professional level. Among them included Keagan Dolly, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Samuel Julies and Jabulani Shongwe.^[9] After leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011, he joined the North West University Sports Institute from 2012 to 2013 briefly. In 2013 he played an instrumental role in the revival of the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA). He played a key role in setting up the structures, giving the organisation direction and leadership as well as rolling out workshops around the country. He was involved up until his day of passing.

Over 150 players were developed at the Sport School of Excellence under his guidance and through his coaching solutions. Over 180 local coaches were developed through his programmes at the SA Soccer Academy.

Death

Dumitru died on 26 May 2016, at the age of 76, after suffering a heart attack in a Johannesburg mall.^[10] A memorial service for the late coach was held on 2 June at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.^[11][12]

Honours

^[13]

Manager

New York Apollo

• American Soccer League (1): 1978
  • Runner-up (1): 1976

Kaizer Chiefs

• PSL Champion: 2003–04, 2004–05
• Vodacom Challenge: 2003
• BP Top Eight Cup: 1985, 1987
• Coca-Cola Cup
  : 1986, 1988, 2003, 2004
• Mainstay Cup: 1987
• Charity Spectacular Cup: 1986, 1987, 1988, 2003
• NSL runner-up: 1987

Mamelodi Sundowns

• PSL Champion: 1997–98, 1998–99
• Nedbank Cup: 1998
• Rothmans Cup
  : 1999
• CAF Champions League runner-up: 2001

Orlando Pirates

• African Cup Winners' Cup semi-final: 1999^[14]

References