Kaizer Chiefs appoint technical director Hutting – end of the road for Komphela?

JOB SECURITY: Two words that could mean the difference between Komphela staying or leaving. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

JOB SECURITY: Two words that could mean the difference between Komphela staying or leaving. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Jan 9, 2018

Share

JOHANNESBURG – Two innocent words for a job that’s meant to complement the head coach have turned into something of a swear word in South African football as it normally hints that the coach’s days are numbered.

The same interpretation met the news of Kaizer Chiefs appointing Dutch coach Robertus ‘Rob’ Hutting on Tuesday as technical advisor of the first team and youth teams in the last six months of coach Steve Komphela’s contract.

Komphela has led Amakhosi for two-and-a-half barren seasons. Technical advisor/director has a notorious meaning in the local football scene, as those men have replaced the head coach in a number of instances, with few having a good working relationship like Baroka FC technical director Doctor Khumalo does with coach Kgoloko Thobejane.

But Komphela is likely to finish his contract with Amakhosi.

What’s unclear at this stage is if Chiefs will keep him after that, and if they don’t, who will replace him.

Hutting has an average-looking CV as a coach, and his initial contract with Amakhosi runs until the end of the season.

The club revealed that Komphela was part of the process that brought him on board.

“He holds a Uefa Pro Licence from the Dutch National boards and a Master’s Degree: Post Academical University Leuven in Belgium,” Chiefs described Hutting in a statement that announced his arrival. “He has played football as midfielder and striker for clubs in Holland and Belgium. He also coached a number of clubs in Belgium, Holland and Germany.

“Hutting will play an advisory role and help with the co-ordination of the two technical teams, working with coach Steve Komphela and his counterparts in the youth development.”

Chiefs only have two trophies, the Absa Premiership and the Nedbank Cup, to fight for in a bid to avoid three trophy-less seasons – something that’s unheard of for the most successful club in the country in knockout competitions.

How they perform in these two competitions will determine Komphela and Hutting’s future at the club.

Hutting will be with Amakhosi until the end of the season, with an option to renew. He hasn’t spent two years with a single team in the last five clubs he managed.

“I am honoured to be here and will serve the club with pride,” Hutting told the club’s official website.

“This is a special day for me. I have been following Kaizer Chiefs and South African football for a while, and looking forward to working with coach Steve and the rest of the coaches here at Kaizer Chiefs. “I believe my competence, qualities and experience will contribute to the improvement of the club.”

Chiefs also announced that Colombian forward Leonardo Castro started training with the side on Tuesday, having signed for them from Mamelodi Sundowns.

@NJABULON

IOL Sport

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Related Topics: