The Soweto giants are currently in the market for a new tactician who will quench their thirst for silverware after a nine-year drought
Top coaches who have been linked to the Soweto giants
Kaizer Chiefs have not been finding it easy for the last nine seasons, changing the coaches at will in their bid to win silverware.
As a matter of fact, since the exit of Stuart Baxter in 2015, the Glamour Boys have hired and fired 11 coaches, but they have been unable to clean the piling dust in the trophies' cabinet.
The latest coach to be replaced is Cavin Johnson who has been serving on an interim basis after the sacking of Molefi Ntseki – just 13 matches into the 2023/24 season, after a series of poor results that made him unpopular with the fans.
In the almost concluding campaign, Amakhosi recorded their worst show in the Premier Soccer League era after finishing in the 10th position. Who will get the honours to manage Amakhosi and bring back the glory days?
Sead Ramovic
Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Koketso Mmotong proposed Ramovic’s name to the Chiefs’ management.
The Serbian, who has been at TS Galaxy since 2021, has had an arguably better season with the Rockets despite a constrained budget. He helped them reach the Carling Knockout final where they narrowly lost to Stellenbosch and players who were seen as fringe and averaged pushed the team to a sixth-place finish on the Premier Soccer League table with 44 points, just one off the Caf Confederation Cup position.
“[Ramovic] knows his story, that guy is good; just look at where he took TS Galaxy,” Mmotong opened up to KickOff.
“They were a club that played to stay in the Premier Soccer League, but look where they are at the moment.
“I salute their coach. I just hope one of the top teams, like Kaizer Chiefs, take him on board once he leaves TS Galaxy.
“I think he will save Kaizer Chiefs from their current situation, he's got balls of steel, he's a big team coach.
“A team like Kaizer Chiefs need someone with balls and a strong character, someone who can stand his ground,” he concluded.
Benni McCarthy
The Manchester United strikers’ coach might be a free agent if the Red Devils opt not to extend his contract that expires at the end of the almost-ending campaign.
The Bafana Bafana legend is not new to South African football and has initially coached Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
The former striker helped the Citizens win the MTN8 trophy in 2018, but later experienced a tough time that saw him win twice in 18 fixtures across all competitions. It explains his dismissal that paved the way for Usuthu to come on board.
Benni, who had replaced Ayanda Dlamini at Usuthu, managed to qualify for the 2021/22 Caf Champions League and reached the group stage. However, he parted ways with the club in 2022.
The tactician has not hidden his desire to taste the Amakhosi waters, “If the opportunity arises to coach Kaizer Chiefs, obviously you will have to sit down and think about it,” he told Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“Like I said, you don't say no to an institution.”
Steve Barker
The Stellenbosch coach has been a revelation at the club this season, registering good results against top sides in the country.
Barker defied the odds to go all the way and win the club’s first ever major trophy after securing the Carling Knockout. The tactician further pushed the team to the semi final of the Nedbank Cup semi final where they were controversially eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the PSL, Barker has seen his team perform consistently; they were narrowly beaten to a Caf Champions League spot by Orlando Pirates; both teams finished the campaign with 50 points but Bucs had a better goal difference.
Barker’s ruthlessness and tactical ability might just be what Amakhosi need to excel.
Manqoba Mngqithi
Mngqithi is arguably one of the bright coaches in the country having amassed enough experience both locally and abroad thanks to the competitions Sundowns have been taking part in regularly.
The 53-year-old’s contract at Masandawana is nearing an end, explaining why rumours have consistently linked him to Amakhosi.
“I have heard a lot of rumours expressing interest but I can tell you as I am sitting here, we have not had a formal approach from Kaizer Chiefs for Manqoba,” his agent Mike Makaab told Gagasi FM when asked about the speculations.
“I don’t think the onus should sit on us to make that approach. It’s a different story if we were introducing a football coach who is not known to clubs in this country, but I don’t think we should make a formal move unless there is interest, a genuine interest from the club itself not through the media.”
However, latest reports indicate Downs have agreed to extend Mngqithi’s stay but no official announcement has been made from the involved parties.
Pitso Mosimane
This is the name that most Chiefs faithful want to hear owing to the coach’s status and accomplishments both domestically and abroad.
Mosimane is a serial winner and the most successful African coach having won three Caf Champions League titles with Sundowns and Al Ahly (twice), respectively.
The tactician is currently a free agent after his contract with Abha concluded a couple of days ago. Through a cryptic message, Mkwena hinted that the Naturena Village might be his next stop.
However, will the management accord him all he needs to take Chiefs back to the glory days?
