Kaizer Chiefs legend Siphiwe Tshabalala has advised the team’s incoming head coach to plan their philosophy and approach around the club’s identity and culture, rather than imposing their own style. With the team set to appoint a new coach ahead of the new season, Tshabalala’s words come at a crucial time for the club.
Chiefs are expected to announce the appointment of a new coach soon, with reports suggesting that Fernando Da Cruz is the frontrunner for the job. However, Tshabalala’s comments suggest that the club’s values and philosophy should take precedence over any individual coach’s approach. Kaizer Chiefs have a rich history and a distinct identity, and Tshabalala believes that this should be the foundation upon which any new coach builds their team.
Understanding the Club’s Identity
Tshabalala, who enjoyed a decorated spell at Chiefs, including winning two Premiership titles, has shared his insights on what makes the club tick. “There has to be a buy-in from the coach,” he stated. “The coach will present his own philosophy and plan, but if he doesn’t find success in that he’s going to leave. Whoever is coming in, might also want to bring in his philosophy – there won’t be progress. But if it’s the club, then you know it’s the values and philosophy of the club. This is the identity. You then work on that.”
A Solid Foundation to Build On
Tshabalala insists that the incoming coach has a solid foundation to build on, given the team’s strong finish to the Premier Soccer League season. “You look at Chiefs, one would say that finishing third wasn’t a good season, but when you look at where Chiefs come from, in terms of consistency, they have improved. They were consistent last season and accumulated a lot of points,” he said.
Tshabalala also believes that the team’s ability to collect points even when not playing well is a testament to their strength and resilience. “Towards the end you could see that there was a team that collected points. You cannot play good football all the time, but what matters is that even if you don’t play good football, you still get points. They did that,” he added.
Here are some key takeaways from Tshabalala’s comments:
- The incoming coach must prioritise the club’s identity and culture
- The team has a solid foundation to build on, given their strong finish to the season
- The coach must be able to adapt and find success within the club’s existing framework
With the new season fast approaching, Tshabalala’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding and embracing the club’s identity. As the team looks to build on their recent success, they will need to find a coach who can balance their own philosophy with the club’s values and culture.
