Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral says it would be unfair to judge new Amakhosi coach Fernando da Cruz too quickly, but has challenged the Frenchman to build his new team to competitive levels that surpass those of rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs are now under the tutelage of Da Cruz, who succeeded co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. He took over a team that finished third in the Betway Premiership last season, their highest position since being runners-up to Sundowns at the end of the 2019/20 season.
He also assumes a team that ended a 10-year trophy drought when they clinched the Nedbank Cup under Nasreddine Nabi in 2025.
That heightens expectations on Da Cruz to improve on the standards set by his predecessors. With Chiefs’ campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup having ended at the group stage last season, they return to the same competition. Da Cruz is expected to help the club win their first continental silverware since Amakhosi lifted the 2001 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup.
A pre-season training camp in Spain is designed to help Amakhosi get in competitive shape for the upcoming season. They have so far signed two players in goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner and centre-back Thabo Moloisane, and more new arrivals are expected to be announced in the next few days.
HANDS OFF FERNANDO DA CRUZ AS MUHSIN ERTUGRAL CALLS FOR PATIENCE ON KAIZER CHIEFS COACH
Ertugral feels Da Cruz should be given the independence to conduct transfer business and implement his methods without any outside influence. But the former Pirates coach is quick to send a reminder that the Soweto giants should be a well-oiled machine that wages a huge fight against the reigning Betway Premiership champions, Pirates and CAF Champions League holders Sundowns.
“I must admit that because of the [2026 FIFA] World Cup, I haven’t been closely following what’s happening at Chiefs. Even those who ask me about what’s happening in Turkey, they ask me about Galatasaray and Besiktas, but I can’t say much because of the World Cup,” Ertugral told FARPost.
“But I would say there were a couple of challenges Chiefs had last season. The new coach has analysed his team and knows what he needs to do. So, in terms of signings, for us to stand in the public to say they should do this or that will not be fair. I would always say let’s wait for 10 games and see where the team is heading.
“Pirates and Downs have definitely had long years of consistency. Pirates have adapted to their style, and Sundowns have their style. Chiefs have to find a way they have to consistently play, a new coach, new ideas. Change can come with challenges, but there has to be a way.”
MUHSIN ERTUGRAL ON THE FOUNDATION FERNANDO DA CRUZ HAS TO BUILD ON AT CHIEFS
With the Frenchman having inherited a team that claimed third spot last season after missing out on the MTN8 berth in two terms before that, Ertugral feels Da Cruz has, at least, somewhere to start from.
“Number three was fair for Chiefs, but they could have won at least one cup. For sure, number three is a good foundation for the new coach,” added Ertugral.
“…In this case, Pirates and Sundowns are far ahead of Chiefs, they have been consistent. You always need six weeks of pre-season, see competitive areas from your own mind. That’s how you see football through your eyes and mind.
“I hope they have a good coach, but in the end, it’s how you combine the knowledge and make the team play the way you want to play.”
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