European coach openly campaigns for Kaizer Chiefs job

Amid the pressure mounting on Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz, some candidates have already started openly canvassing for his job.

Da Cruz is feeling the heat after his team extended their winless run to four games following their 1-0 loss to Zambian outfit Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.

Chiefs are struggling to win games while clean sheets are hard to come by and now, only the 3-2 win over Siwelele FC in early September remains their victory in the last seven matches.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Former Polokwane City, Free State Stars and Black Leopards coach Luc Eymael has put his hand up, saying he could be the solution for the struggling Soweto giants.

Ex-PSL coach wants Kaizer Chiefs job

“Coaching in the Soweto Derby is not a dream if you have coached AS Vita Club, TP Mazembe, Simba, and Eloi Lupopo. It is something that could easily happen, and it would be fantastic for me to coach either Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs,” Eymael told KickOff.

Coach Luc Eymael wants Kaizer Chiefs job. — Coach Luc Eymael

“However, I believe Kaizer Chiefs are more in need of a coach at present. That has been the case for several years. I have been very fortunate in my career: I have never lost a derby. I have won several and drawn several, but never lost.”

The Belgian coach, who won the Nedbank Cup with Free State Stars, feels his unblemished record in derbies across Africa also adds to his resume, making him the ideal candidate for the hot seat at Naturena.

Sibongiseni Mthethwa of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Red Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Aymael’s different derby experiences

“The Soweto Derby is the biggest in Africa, with more than 80,000 people attending,” he added.

“The pressure in derbies is similar, and perhaps greater in countries such as Tanzania than in South Africa, because public education is not the same. In some countries, people are not sufficiently informed about pitch invasions and related issues during derbies.”

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz with his players. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“In Congo, you might witness a pitch invasion eight times in one season. This happens less often in Tanzania when matches are played in the main stadium, where the stands are high, but outside the stadium, the situation can be chaotic and very difficult in Tanzania,” said the tactician, who has also worked in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and DR Congo among other countries.

It remains to be seen if Da Cruz will turn things around atChiefs but with every bad result, his position will continue being under the spotlight, giving coaches like Aymael hope.