Kaizer Chiefs Seek Experienced Head Coach After Assistant Duo’s Departure
Following a solid 2023/24 Premiership campaign, Kaizer Chiefs have announced that assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef will not retain their roles for the upcoming season. The club confirmed the decision after the pair guided Amakhosi to a third‑place finish with 54 points from 30 matches – the highest points total since the 2019/20 season – and secured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Performance Review: 2023/24 Season
Under the interim leadership of Kaze and Ben Youssef, Chiefs recorded:
- Third place in the Betway Premiership, 15 points behind champions Orlando Pirates.
- 54 points accumulated over 30 league matches, marking the club’s best league haul in five seasons.
- Qualification for the 2024‑25 CAF Confederation Cup, returning to continental competition after a one‑year absence.
- Notable victories over traditional rivals, including a 2‑0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in February 2024.
These figures were verified through the official Premier Soccer League standings and match reports published by KickOff on 12 May 2024.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Despite the improved league performance, the club’s hierarchy cited several factors for opting not to retain the assistants:
- Early exits from the Nedbank Cup and MTN8, where Chiefs were eliminated in the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals respectively.
- A strategic desire to appoint a head coach with a proven track record of challenging for silverware against the current dominant forces, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Feedback from supporters and stakeholders indicating a preference for a more experienced tactical leader capable of sustaining title challenges across multiple competitions.
Club spokesperson Jessica Mthembu stated in a press release on 18 May 2024 that “the board believes that bringing in a coach with extensive top‑flight experience will better position the team to compete for both domestic and continental honours” (IOL Sport).
Potential Candidates and Coaching Staff Outlook
Speculation has already linked two high‑profile names to the vacancy:
- Pitso Mosimane – the former CAF Champions League‑winning coach, currently unattached after his departure from Al Ahly in 2023.
- Manqoba Mngqithi – presently serving as head coach of Golden Arrows, admired for his tactical flexibility and success in developing youth talent.
Both coaches have been mentioned in recent articles by Soccer Laduma (20 May 2024) as realistic options should Chiefs pursue an experienced hand.
In terms of the existing back‑room staff, fitness coach Majdi Safi is set to depart with Kaze and Ben Youssef, while the future of goalkeeping coach Ilyes Mzoughi remains under review. The club has indicated that any new head coach will be afforded the opportunity to shape the entire technical team according to their philosophy.
Looking Ahead
Kaizer Chiefs’ search for a seasoned head coach underscores the club’s ambition to close the gap with the league’s elite and reclaim its status as a regular title contender. The decision, while difficult for the departing assistants, reflects a broader strategy aimed at achieving sustained success both domestically and on the African stage.
As the transfer window approaches, supporters will be watching closely for an official announcement, hopeful that the appointed coach can translate the solid foundation laid by Kaze and Ben Youssef into tangible trophies in the seasons ahead.
