Ex-Chiefs defender on co-coaches’ exit: ‘I saw it coming’

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Isaac Mabotsa has offered his take on the Soweto giants’ decision to not retain the services of co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

Chiefs announced on Tuesday that they would be going into the new season with a new man at the helm. Ben Youssef and Kaze stepped up into the role of caretaker co-coaches early last term after the club parted ways with Nasreddine Nabi.

The news came as somewhat of a surprise after the pair duo led the side to a third-place finish, attaining 54 points, the team’s second-best tally from the last 11 years.

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According to Mabotsa, the hierarchy made the right decision.

"Remember what I said? For me, those coaches, yes, they did well, they finished third on the log. Even the stats put them in a good position to retain the coaching job," reacted the former fullback, speaking to KickOff.

"But, to be honest, those coaches for Chiefs, no. Chiefs is a big brand, it needs a coach who can also control the dressing room, you understand? With these youngsters… I mean, you know youngsters – if he plays three games in a row, he thinks he's a big player.

"So, I think it needs someone, a big coach. I don't know, whoever, but a big coach, with a big CV. I saw it coming that they wouldn't last. I'm not taking anything away from them," he added.

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Amakhosi have already been linked with coaches such Pitso Mosimane, Sven Vandenbroeck and Manqoba Mngqithi, with the search set to intensify in the next few weeks.

'Yster', as Mabotsa is affectionately known, says it does not matter whether the next coach is local or foreign, as long as he has a proven track record.

"Anyone, locally or internationally. As long as it's an experienced coach with a good history of winning trophies, locally or internationally, I would be happy."