Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the appointment of French coach Fernando da Cruz as their new head coach, with two men arriving alongside him – assistant coach Mahmoud Abbas and sports science specialist Julien Le Heran.
Da Cruz, who had a brief stint as assistant to Nasreddine Nabi, replaces co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Ben Youssef and Kaze recently left after their contracts expired.
Abbas and Le Heran form part of Da Cruz’s trusted support structure as the Soweto giants begin a new chapter under the former AS FAR Rabat and Moroccan Football Federation technical coach. But who are the two men Da Cruz is bringing?
WHO’S MAHMOUD ABBAS – CHIEFS’ FIRST ASSISTANT?
Abbas brings analysis and youth development expertise to his new role at Amakhosi. At 35, Egyptian coach Mahmoud Abbas arrives at Naturena with a reputation built on analysis, player development and modern coaching methods.
Abbas holds an AFC A Licence and has accumulated valuable experience across various roles in Saudi Arabian football. Most recently, he served as assistant coach at Al Wehda in the Saudi First Division, before briefly stepping into the head coaching role between November and December 2025. During that spell, he took charge of four matches.
His longest stint came at Al Wehda, where he spent almost four years working as an assistant coach while also contributing to the club’s youth development structures. Those who have worked with him regard him as a coach with a strong understanding of nurturing young talent, an area that aligns closely with Chiefs’ desire to promote academy products into the first team.
Before moving into coaching, Abbas established himself as a respected analyst. He worked as a chief analyst and at Al Qadsiah, developing expertise in opposition analysis, tactical preparation and performance evaluation.
That analytical background is expected to complement Da Cruz’s tactical approach, with Abbas likely to play a key role in match preparation, player assessments, and the integration of younger players into the senior setup.
LE HERAN TO OVERSEE PERFORMANCE AND SPORTS SCIENCE
Chiefs have also strengthened their performance department by appointing Frenchman Julien Le Heran. Le Heran joins the club after working alongside Da Cruz at the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), where he spent the last two years in the federation’s technical and performance structures.
His arrival is viewed as an important addition as Chiefs seek to improve player conditioning, injury prevention and overall athletic performance. He directly replaces Majdi Safi, who left the club along with Kaze, Ben Youssef and Ilyes Mzoughi.
Before his time in Morocco, Le Heran served as Head of Performance at AS Vita Club in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of Africa’s most successful clubs. He also gained experience in women’s football with the French side En Avant Guingamp and worked with the Haitian Women’s National Team.
Academically, Le Heran holds a Master’s degree in athletic training and performance management and a UEFA A Licence.
His role at Chiefs will extend beyond fitness training, with responsibilities expected to include performance monitoring, recovery management, physical conditioning programmes and supporting the technical team with sports science data.
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