Exactly sixteen days after FARPost first revealed that Fernando da Cruz had emerged as the frontrunner for the vacant hot seat at Naturena, Kaizer Chiefs have officially got their man.
The Soweto giants confirmed on Wednesday that the 54-year-old French tactician has signed a two-year contract. The contract also includes a one-year option, effective from 1 July 2026.
The announcement brings an end to weeks of intense speculation. Chiefs, who finished a respectable third in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, had already cleared the decks by parting ways with co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. Tunisian goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi and conditioning coach Majdi Safi also left the club.
While Portuguese mentor Alexandre Dos Santos was considered for the job, it is Da Cruz who won the nod from Amakhosi’s board.
The appointment marks a dramatic return to the club for Da Cruz. The Frenchman briefly worked within the Chiefs environment two years ago when he was brought in to lay groundwork as an assistant to Nasreddine Nabi, who was finishing up his commitments with AS FAR at the time.
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
CHIEFS CONFIRM FERNANDO DA CRUZ AS NEW BOSS ON TWO-YEAR CONTRACT
Though his initial stint was short-lived before he left to become the technical director of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation [FRMF], Da Cruz left a lasting impression on the Chiefs hierarchy. He arrives back in South Africa boasting an elite football pedigree.
A holder of the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification globally, Da Cruz served three separate stints at French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille. And in a statement confirming his arrival, Chiefs lauded his credentials.
“He brings a wealth of experience to the Soweto giants. His remarkable coaching journey includes three separate stints at French powerhouse Lille, where he worked under renowned Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa and helped nurture future international stars such as Idrissa Gueye, Lucas Digne, Victor Osimhen, and Eden Hazard,” said Chiefs.
“Da Cruz’s success, however, extends beyond Europe. In the 2022/23 season, he impressively guided AS FAR to the Moroccan Botola League title, cementing his reputation as a proven winner. His strong background in youth development and academy structures aligns neatly with Chiefs’ long-term vision.”
NEW ERA: DA CRUZ TAKES CHARGE AS KAIZER CHIEFS OVERHAUL TECHNICAL TEAM
Da Cruz will not be working alone in this rebuilding phase. Chiefs have confirmed a sweeping overhaul of the support staff to complement the Frenchman. Joining him on the bench as assistant coach is Mahmoud Abbas, a 35-year-old Egyptian tactician. The sports science department will be under the stewardship of fellow Frenchman Julien Le Heran.
While Da Cruz will officially take full charge at the start of July, the hard work at Naturena begins immediately. The Amakhosi playing squad is scheduled to report back for duty on Thursday, 18 June. This is for fitness testing and medical assessments.
With the high-profile acquisition of defender Thabo Moloisane from Stellenbosch FC already secured, and more arrivals expected, the next fortnight will give Da Cruz a brief window to evaluate his squad before they jet off for a pre-season training camp in Germany.
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