Cape Town City Appoint Dutch Coach Jan Vreman Ahead of Motsepe Foundation Championship Campaign

Cape Town City have taken a bold step in their bid to bounce back to the top flight, announcing the appointment of veteran Dutch coach Jan Vreman as they gear up for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The move signals a fresh chapter for the relegated side, who are determined to make an immediate return to the elite level of South African football.

Vreman, 59, arrives in Cape Town after a lifetime of loyalty and service to Dutch club De Graafschap. Having spent his entire playing career and the bulk of his coaching journey at the same club, he brings with him a deep understanding of club culture, player development, and long-term project building—skills that will be vital as City undergo a complete rebuild.

The Dutchman worked his way up the coaching ladder at De Graafschap, from managing the youth squads to leading the first team in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie. His broad experience and calm, developmental approach made him a respected figure in Dutch football circles, even though he has never coached outside the Netherlands until now.

Cape Town City, who were recently linked with attempts to purchase a topflight status to avoid the drop, have now fully committed to fighting their way back through the Championship. With a number of players exiting the club as free agents and others like Jaedin Rhodes, Jody Ah Shene, Shakeel April, and Emile Witbooi on the market, Vreman will have the daunting task of rebuilding nearly from scratch.

The club hopes his track record of blending youth and experience will be the perfect formula for success. With automatic promotion the clear goal, City will look to him not just for tactical leadership but for vision, stability, and the ability to extract the best from limited resources.

While Vreman’s appointment has raised eyebrows—especially given his lack of experience outside Europe—those close to the club believe his adaptability and calm demeanour will help him settle into the South African game quickly.

The Citizens will need to hit the ground running, and all eyes will be on Vreman as he navigates the challenges of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, one of the most unpredictable and competitive leagues in the country. As the club enters this new era, their success may very well depend on how quickly their new coach can bring structure, unity, and belief to a squad in transition.