Eric Tinkler (born 30 July 1970) is a South African football coach and former player who is the head coach of Ghana Premier League club Asante Kotoko.
Early and personal life Tinkler was born in Roodepoort.
Club career Tinkler played club football for Wits University, União de Tomar, Vitória, Cagliari, Barnsley, Caldas and Bidvest Wits.
Tinkler moved from Italian club Cagliari to English club Barnsley on 1 July 1997 for a transfer fee of £650,000.
International career Tinkler earned 45 caps for the South African national team between 1994 and 2002, scoring 1 goal. He was part of the South Africa squad that won the 1996 African Cup of Nations, playing in the final.
Coaching career Tinkler became head coach of Orlando Pirates in December 2013; in May 2015, it was announced that he would continue in that role for the 2015–16 season. Tinkler left Orlando Pirates to become the first head coach of Cape Town City club on 17 June 2016. On 8 June 2017, he became head coach of SuperSport United. He quit in March 2018.
After a spell with Chippa United, he became manager of Maritzburg United in January 2019. He left the club in November 2020.
He returned as manager of Cape Town City on 24 May 2021. On 31 December 2024, Tinkler left the club.
He joined Sekhukhune United in March 2025. He was voted the August 2025 South African Premiership coach of the month. He left the club in April 2026 by mutual consent.
On 17 July 2026, Tinkler was appointed as head coach of Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBarnsley1997–98Premier League2522020-2921998–99First Division2533020-3031999–20003341050304242000–01000000-002001–021600011-171Total999601013011810Career total999601013011810
International South Africa national teamYearAppsGoals19945019954019961111997100199800199920200060200120200250Total451
Honours Cape Town City Telkom Knockout Final
Supersport United MTN 8 Cup Final
Individual South African Premiership Coach of the Month: August 2025
References