Finding employment within the DStv Premiership proved mission somewhat impossible for Cole Alexander following his departure from Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last season, but when Stuart Baxter put the call through in an attempt to recruit him for Swedish outfit Helsingborgs, it was a case of opportunity meeting preparation. It is a move the midfielder welcomed with open arms, not least because as a player heading towards the end of your career, the last thing you expect is to be securing a move to Europe. This was a reunion between a coach and player who knew each other well, so a six-month contract was signed. It was a spell that had its ups and downs, though in the end the club survived relegation. But with the side having since parted ways with the man who brought him there and appointed a new coach, it remains to be seen what the future now holds for the Lentegeur-born star. Signs are pointing towards an exit, however. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane, the 34-year-old opens up about his brief stint in Superettan, Sweden's second tier, and the catch-22 he is currently in as he readies himself for a possible new chapter.
Tshepang Mailwane: Cole, the season in Sweden is over. What then you have been up to?
Cole Alexander: I am in Paris now with my family. It's a small holiday while we still have a visa.
TM: So, what's the latest with you at Helsingborgs?
CA: My contract is done now and the club has not guaranteed me a contract, but they also have not said no. It's a little complex. A new coach came in and there is no certainty that I will get a contract, but they are also not saying no. If it was a no, then they would have said something. But at the same time, I cannot risk waiting and waiting and not pursuing other options for myself. If I take the risk of waiting, then other doors might close for me. It's a very difficult situation I am in and it's stressful, so to say. I hope it works out.
TM: In other words, you haven't had a chance to speak to the new coach yet?
CA: No, I haven't spoken to the new coach. The club is on holiday and I've just been speaking to the director of the club. They can't say yes, they are going to keep me and they are not saying they don't want me. But, at the same time, they are okay with me having to look for other work because they understand the situation I am in as they cannot give me an answer. If they really wanted me, they would have made that offer already. It's one of those things where I feel like I have tried to make it work, but it's just not falling into place. So, I must look at other avenues. I need to work, my brother.
TM: True. Looking at your time at the club, do you feel you did enough to get a new contract?
CA: From what I hear from the director and (taking into account) my professionalism, it feels like my impact was good enough. Look, I only had seven appearances and I assisted three and scored one – I don't think that's bad. From what I hear and the feeling from the director and people within the club, it feels like it's a positive thing. I just don't know why it's not so clear or why it's not simple to say we are keeping you or not. It only leads me to assume that maybe the new coach wants to bring in his own players, and that's fair. It's part of the game. I don't have the definite answers, but I can only assume that's it. What I hear from the director is that they like me, but they still haven't given me a contract. I don't want to speculate too much, so it's not guaranteed that I will get a contract and they know that I can't wait too long for them to make a decision. As a man, I must provide. That's my priority. All parties know that it's fair for me to pursue other avenues. The season ended in November, so the contract technically ends in December. I've been transparent with Helsingborgs because they have been good to me. The relationship is good. It's open and honest. It's been a good time for me, but they know the situation.
TM: How much of an impact do you think the departure of Stuart Baxter had on your future with the club?
CA: He's the one who brought me in. I was hoping that the impact I brought to the club would be the pull, you know. Even when the coach left, I was hoping the impact would have been enough for them to keep me. I am not saying it's not going to happen or it can't happen, but it's in- between. If I had to answer your question, Baxter brought me to the club and he could rely on me. If he was still with the club, then maybe he would have still been interested in me. That's why I say that if the new coach comes in and feels that he has players who can do the job, that's football. That's how it goes.
TM: What was it like working with the former Bafana Bafana coach and how did he use you?
CA: The thing he brought me in for was the aggressiveness and the counter-pressing. That little bite and attitude on and off the ball. I think he thought it was something that could benefit the team. I tried my best to make the off-the-ball work look a bit sexier and not just be on the ball all the time. I think that's why he brought me in, for that doggedness. I always gave my best for the benefit of the team, whether it meant playing as an eight or as a six or wherever. He knew that I would always put in a shift and that he could rely on me. If it meant being the best team player in the stands, then I would be the best team player in the stands. I think that's something that benefitted me, to find favour with him. I've worked with the man for many years and I always tell him that I have my degree with him now. I put him up there (as one of the best). He's more than a coach to a lot of players.
TM: What was the season like for the side, considering they did not keep Baxter?
CA: We survived the play-offs. We ended 12th. The last two teams got relegated and then the third- and fourth-last teams went into the play-offs. We ended just above that.
TM: Sounds like you had quite a stressful time of it over there…
CA: I came in when there were about 12 or 13 games left in the season. Also, coach Baxter took over later on when the season had already started. I think it was like halfway through the season and it was not too good of a spell. Credit should go to him because he did a lot. It was a big project for him because in such a situation, it's not just about football and results, it's about the mental side as well. So, I think he did well to survive. It was a great thing he did for the club. The club loves him, and I take my hat off to him. He is someone who makes you feel better than you really are. That's what he brought to the team because he made us feel that way. I have nothing but respect for the team and I think I was privileged to be with them.
TM: Did playing in Sweden help improve your game in any way?
CA: I feel it did. I learnt a lot while playing in a different league. I feel that it's a bit more structured, more organized and it's a bit more physical. I think this league has its advantages, but the league in South Africa also has its advantages that I don't see in the league in Sweden. Although I was only here for six months, I can take the things I learnt with me wherever I go next year. It's not all in vain.
TM: Have you officially started looking for a new club, maybe even back in South Africa?
CA: Yes, I have. The PSL is ongoing, and I am in the market. But I want to be careful with what I say. Let's just say I have been talking to two teams that I have been discussing with in South Africa, but there is nothing concrete as yet. It's about putting offers on the table and deciding what's best for my family. That's why I say it's complex because the team (Helsingborgs) needs to make a decision on me, and they are taking too long. I gave them almost a month and they can't be clear with me. Right now, I am just talking to two teams in South Africa.
TM: It was not easy finding a club in the PSL after leaving Kaizer Chiefs, so how do you rate your chances now?
CA: I was telling my wife if clubs look at a 34-year-old, then it's a turn-off. But I still feel good. The body is good and the mind is good. But it is what it is. I don't want to say too much about that.
TM: Maybe after playing overseas, there are some clubs that will make concrete offers to use that experience you gained, don't you think?
CA: I hope that does give me some credit to find a team back home. We will see how it goes. It's a little stressful to go through the festive period like this, not knowing exactly what's going to happen. I was hoping to have it all figured out or sorted by now, but it seems I am jobless going into next year.
TM: Thank you so much for your time, Cole. We hope to see you back on the pitch in 2024.
CA: Thank you so much for the opportunity
COLE ALEXANDER FACT FILE
Date of birth: 9 July 1989
Place of birth: Lentegeur, Western Cape
Nickname: None
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 5
Club: Helsingborgs (Sweden)
Previous clubs: Ajax Cape Town, Vasco da Gama, Chippa United (both on loan), Polokwane City, SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits, Odisha (India), Kaizer Chiefs
Honours: 2017/18 MTN8 winner (with SuperSport), 1 Bafana Bafana cap
