Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tsepo Masilela believes the club’s decision not to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window is part of a bigger plan to appoint a new coach next season.
While the Betway Premiership frontrunners Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates both reinforced their squads despite sitting comfortably in the top two of the division, pressure mounted on Chiefs to follow suit. However, that pressure has so far been resisted.
To the frustration of sections of the Amakhosi fanbase, the Glamour Boys have not signed a single player ahead of the transfer window closing on January 31. Chiefs Football Manager Bobby Motaung has since confirmed that the club will not be making any January signings.
Speaking on the Soccer Beat podcast, club legend Masilela suggested the club’s inactivity points to a looming coaching change.
TSEPO MASILELA: I BELIEVE THEY NEED A STRONG COACH
“I have a strong feeling Kaizer Chiefs will get a new coach for next season,” Masilela said on the Soccer Beat podcast.
“So do they want to make that mistake now of bringing in new players, give them three-year contracts, and then come pre-season, the new coach says ‘I don’t want this guy, I don’t want that guy,” Masilela added.
“So if we sign players in January, we might end up stuck with a dilemma on our table. We will not know what to do. Are we going to release guys and pay them out?
“Everything becomes an expense at that time. I have thinking from that angle. I am thinking that they have eyed someone. They have someone in mind to take over next season.
“We don’t want to spend now because the coach will want his own players. So project 2026. I believe they need a strong coach. A manager. We are all talking about coach Pitso [Mosimane]. I have worked with him [at Bafana Bafana], I know how he manages.
“But we will need to patient. We can’t expect coach Pitso to come in and immediately close the gap between us Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. These two teams are the highflyers…We might need to first target position three, two. Then the progress will continue. Maybe coach Pitso will do it,” Masilela added.
RELATED STORY: Kaizer Chiefs seal ties with Botswana side Black Lions