JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung has promised that the club will hire a top coach who will restore the club’s dignity and bring back the glory days at Amakhosi after three trophy-less seasons.
Motaung made the undertaking yesterday at FNB Stadium during the media brunch of the Shell Helix Ultra Cup which will see the Glamour Boys take on league champions Mamelodi Sundowns on July 21 at the iconic venue that hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup final.
Chiefs’ search for Steve Komphela’s replacement has been hampered by teams with deeper pockets snatching coaches from right under their noses as they tried to tie them down.
Frenchman Patrice Carteron was snapped by Al-Ahly, while Egyptian coach Hossam el-Badry, who is reported to have been very close to coming to Naturena, ended up at Egyptian club Pyramids.
“The coach search has been difficult because the type of coach we are looking for is not easy to find,” Motaung said. “We’ve had three coaches snapped from our fingers by big sharks out there. It’s been a process, not an easy one because we need to make sure that we get the right person after the three (trophy-less) years.
“We understand the anxiety that our supporters have and the pressure we are under in terms of achieving. We have to get the right man for the job, who can take this club to another level.
“You also have to understand that if you are bringing someone new, who doesn’t even understand the culture, it’s another process and it might take him a year to produce. We have to find the balance in who we get because they need to hit the ground running.”
Motaung said they will announce the coach hopefully this week, latest next week. Amakhosi are currently talking to two coaches.
Khama Billiat is the most significant signing by Chiefs so far in this transfer window. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Motaung vowed that they will announce a “top coach”, right after snapping Khama Billiat from the Brazilians in what is the best signing so far in this transfer window.
“We are going to bring a top coach,” Motaung said. “That’s why we aren’t in a rush because we have to bring the right man for the team. We need to bring the right man who will restore the dignity of this team and bring the glory days back.
“It’s got to be proper. We aren’t in a panic mode. We are not under pressure. Even with the signing of players, we were never in a panic mode. We do things the Chiefs way. The Chiefs way is calmer. We relax. You take Khama and you calm your nerves. We were very calm and sensible.
“We aren’t under pressure to try and prove a point. Clubs do things differently. We do it the Chiefs way.”
The coach that Amakhosi appoints will work with Patrick Mabedi as the assistant coach, with Lee Baxter continuing as the goalkeeper coach.
That man will, however, be given an option to bring his own assistant should he want to. Motaung expanded on what characteristics the new coach must possess.
“We are looking for a coach who will be a father figure to the players. A coach who will have an understanding of the league challenges. A high-profile coach with a good pedigree. Someone very experienced who will take this team to the next level.
“Continental experience is a must. He must have a great sense of humour too.”
@NJABULON
The Star