Fernando Da Cruz is set to join the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after Kaizer Chiefs consented to the release of the Frenchman despite having held the position for only two months.
He is set to join the FRMF as a Technical Director under a new project. The 51-year-old coach, whose coaching career began at Lille, arrived in South Africa at the end of June.
Due to a release clause in his contract, the FRMF approached the Chiefs to negotiate Da Cruz’s exit. An agreement was successfully reached, although the specifics of any potential fee remain unclear.
While newly-appointed head coach Nasreddine Nabi was still with AS FAR Rabat in Morocco in June, Da Cruz took charge and began Kaizer Chiefs’ pre-season program. The experienced French coach had been an integral part of Nabi’s technical team.
The news of Da Cruz’s departure will be felt throughout the ‘Amakhosi’ community, who had warmly welcomed him. His passion and dedication to the team quickly earned him the respect of players and fans.
Da Cruz’s decision to leave was undoubtedly difficult and is a significant loss for the club. However, the club will actively search for a suitable replacement before the new season.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF DA CRUZ’S DEPARTURE
Besides Da Cruz, Nabi has Khalil Ben Youssef as his first assistant, goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi, and conditioning coach Majdi Safi.
The former Young Africans coach had also wanted to bring Ayman Makroud, his performance analyst at AS FAR Rabat, but he changed his mind at the last minute.
The ‘Amakhosi’ head coach, Nabi, could find a replacement before the season kicks off on September 14th against Marumo Gallants at the Free State’s Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Nabi-Da Cruz combination was always an interesting one. His offensive tactics are characterised by a dynamic combination of aggression and adaptability, utilising width, speed, and precision to penetrate defences and create scoring chances through relentless pressure and direct passing.
On the other hand, Da Cruz offered a contrasting approach, emphasising composure and unpredictability in the build-up phase. His AS FAR side strategically manipulated the positioning of his attacking players to create space and opportunities for his team, ultimately granting them greater control and creative freedom in the attacking third.
The Frenchman, who was linked with Sekhukhune United before joining Chiefs, could resurface in Morocco, which is much closer to his homeland.
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