Fernando Da Cruz has emerged as the leading candidate to become Kaizer Chiefs’ next head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season, FARPost can reveal.
Amakhosi, who finished third in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, have already confirmed the departures of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. Goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi and conditioning coach Majdi Safi have also left the club as part of a broader restructuring of the technical team.
FARPost can confirm that Chiefs have held discussions with both Da Cruz and Portuguese coach Alexandre Dos Santos as part of their search for a new mentor. However, indications increasingly point towards Da Cruz, who has emerged as the club’s preferred option at this stage of the process.
The French tactician recently resigned from his role as Technical Coach at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation [FRMF].
The former AS FAR Rabat coach previously worked within the Chiefs environment two years ago before taking up his role in Morocco. At the time, he had been appointed as assistant to Nasreddine Nabi, who was still concluding his stint with AS FAR. During that period, Da Cruz is understood to have made a strong impression through the structure, intensity and professionalism of his work.
Those interactions also gave both parties an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each other, with Da Cruz becoming familiar with the club’s long-term vision and operational environment.
FERNANDO DA CRUZ OPEN TO CHIEFS OPPORTUNITY
Information received by FARPost suggests that Da Cruz is open to the prospect of taking charge at Naturena should an agreement be finalised.
The recent overhaul of the technical department is expected to give Chiefs greater flexibility as they shape a new coaching structure ahead of the upcoming season. The club is believed to be considering the inclusion of local coaches and support staff in the new setup, although discussions regarding the final composition of the technical team remain ongoing.
Preparations for the new campaign are already gathering pace. Chiefs are expected to embark on a pre-season training camp in Germany in July, where they will face European opposition in a series of friendly matches.
The squad is scheduled to regroup on 22 June, with the club expected to have finalised its coaching structure before pre-season preparations intensify.
Attention has also turned to strengthening the playing squad. Thabo Moloisane has already agreed to join the club following his departure from Stellenbosch FC, while further arrivals and exits are anticipated as Chiefs continue their rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 season.
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀-𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗗𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗔
Fernando da Cruz arrives at OR Tambo, greeted by Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr.#FARPost pic.twitter.com/bPvtego1Fi
— Mthokozisi Dube (@dube_mthoko) June 23, 2024
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