Da Cruz makes his stance clear to Kaizer Chiefs players as he is officially unveiled

Kaizer Chiefs’ new coach Fernando da Cruz has spoken of his ambitions after finally landing in South Africa to begin his new job.

Da Cruz won the race for the coveted Chiefs job but it comes with a lot of pressure of expectations after the club’s struggles in the last 11 years.

With no league title since 2015, Chiefs fans are success-starved and the Frenchman has the big job of not just restoring belief among the players and supporters but winning trophies and ultimately knocking Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns off their perch.

Da Cruz understands fully well what his new job demands and made it clear to his players when he met them for the first time at their Naturena training base on Thursday.

Chiefs coach outlines ambitions

“I am excited to get started with us,” Da Cruz told the players after meeting them. “I understand what this club stands for, its history, potential future and I think we need to create a new ambition for the future.”

“It is a big and strong club in Africa and we want to win with a good attitude and mentality. To work hard day by day, step by step,” he added.

Coach Fernando da Cruz is now fully in the building, stepping into his role with clear intent, strong leadership, and a shared belief in what this team can become.

With the full technical team in place, the focus is clear. Every drill matters. Every detail counts. Every day is a… pic.twitter.com/fjj43n7VCD

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) July 2, 2026

In his first interview after arriving at the club, the former AS FAR coach outlined what he hopes will bring success to Chiefs.

“The club has always held a special place in my heart, and I’ve kept a close eye on its journey over the past two years. Kaizer Chiefs is a massive institution with passionate supporters and a proud history,” he said.

Da Cruz on his blueprint

“My focus now is on building a strong connection with the players, instilling a winning mentality, and working together to achieve the success our fans deserve. The journey ahead will demand hard work and unity, but I’m confident we will rise to the challenge, he says.”

Da Cruz is returning to Chiefs, two years after he left to take up a role of Technical Director at the Morocco football federation, having been one of the assistants to Nasreddine Nabi when he was hired in July 2024.

Chiefs finished third in the PSL last season and the new coach’s job is to build on that and ultimately win the league title.