Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has offered his insights on the type of coach the Soweto giants need in order to get back in shape.
Amakhosi are on the hunt for a new permanent coach after parting ways with Molefi Ntseki in October 2023. Cavin Johnson has served as caretaker manager for the past seven months.
Chiefs finished the previous season tenth in the DStv Premiership, marking their ninth consecutive campaign without silverware.
As they aim to turn things around in the upcoming season, Khumalo says they need a coach with arrogance and a strong personality. He stressed that the coach has to make players understand the trophy-winning culture at Chiefs.
‘Chiefs has always maintained a coach with arrogance’
“Personality determines whether you are a winner,” said Khumalo during the SABC Sport’s Soccerzone.
“Why I choose personality? At Kaizer Chiefs; when you look at the Chairman [Kaizer Motaung] his personality speaks volumes…The personality of how the club is run.
“A coach that will come, we don’t need a coach that is a twinsaver. Kaizer Chiefs has always maintained a coach with arrogance. The players need to understand that this is Kaizer Chiefs that has supporters that are used to a culture of winning trophies.
“When I signed, I signed when there were 12 to 14 top players, and I was made to be part of that. They marshaled me to join winners, but they were building a personality.”
“There is no way you go to face your opponents and they don’t feel you, that’s a loss on its own. When the opponents look at the bench, they don’t feel it. I’m not taking away anything from anybody that’s there now, but Kaizer Chiefs is a team of personality.”
Khumalo further highlighted the importance of targeted player recruitment that aligns with the club's culture.
Player acquisition
“Decision-making is very key, player acquisition is very key, we don’t just [sign] a player because he has done that in that club,” he added.
“That has proven before that a player can play well at Stellies but that doesn’t mean he can play well at Chiefs. It needs guidance in terms of how do we get the personality, not the player.
“Chiefs need a player who can deal with the pressure of donning that shirt and the stadium because wherever they go, they have supporters.”
Chiefs have been linked with several managerial candidates, including Alexandre Dos Santos (Petro de Luanda), Raul Caneda (currently without a club), and Pitso Mosimane (whose contract with Abha has expired).
