The well-travelled Bafana Bafana AFCON 1996 winner recently left Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko after just a three-month stint with the club, where he secured the 2026 Democracy Cup over rivals Hearts of Oak.
City have now revealed the experienced former Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United coach has joined the club to reunite with chairman Farook Kadodia whom he worked with at Maritzburg United.
"Eric brings a wealth of experience in South African football and understands what is required at this level," said Kadodia in a statement on the club website.
"We believe he is the right person to lead the team and help us achieve what we have set out to achieve this season."
Meanwhile Tinkler expressed his excitement over the move, having previously led Kadodia's United to the 2019 Telkom Knockout Cup final.
"I'm excited to be part of what is being built here at Durban City FC," said Tinkler.
"The club is very ambitious, they have made positive strides in a short space of time, competing in the CAF Confederation Cup already, and that made my decision easy.
"The chairman is someone I've worked with before. When the opportunity presented itself to come back, I grabbed it with both hands."
Tinkler will be preparing his new team to face third-placed AmaZulu in the KwaZulu-Natal derby next week at the Chatsworth Stadium.
"I don't want to make massive changes because last season the club was successful. It's about giving others an opportunity and getting back to winning ways," added the 56-year-old.
"We want to finish in the top eight, go as far as we can in the CAF Confederation Cup, and compete in the Carling Cup and Nedbank Cup. There's a lot to play for."
