Kaizer Chiefs Appoint New Coach - Da Cruz Handed the Reins at Amakhosi

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 4 hours ago

John Eastwood 4 hours ago

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Kaizer Chiefs appoint Fernando Da Cruz as head coach on a two-year deal.
Da Cruz has extensive coaching experience in France, Belgium, Tunisia, and Morocco.
Chiefs opted against local candidates, choosing Da Cruz despite a 3-year gap since his last head coach job.

Fernando da Cruz has been appointed as Kaizer Chiefs' new head coach (Getty Images).

Kaizer Chiefs have ended the speculation over their new coach by officially appointing French-born Fernando Da Cruz.

The former Amakhosi assistant signed a two-year contract with a club-controlled option for a third year. Amakhosi have moved away from their co-coaches arrangement and parted ways with Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

From Assistant to Head Coach

Da Cruz is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and was previously assistant coach at Chiefs for a brief time under Nasreddine Nabi. When Chiefs appointed Nabi, Da Cruz was set to join as his assistant.

After overseeing the first two weeks of preseason in Nabi's absence, he departed Amakhosi to take a job with the Moroccan Football Association.

Chiefs Issue Statement

Kaizer Chiefs' official website posted the following biography of their new coach:

“Born in France, Da Cruz comes highly qualified with a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching certification in football.

“He worked briefly with Chiefs during pre-season two years ago before joining the Moroccan Football Federation, where he served as Technical Director until the end of June. He will officially take charge of Amakhosi at the beginning of July.”

Spells in France

Da Cruz had a long spell working with Lille's B team and also oversaw the first team on an interim basis. He was appointed as head coach of Mouscron in Belgium but was sacked after a winless nine-game period at the helm.

His next head coaching role was in Morocco at AS FAR Rabat. His side won the title, but Da Cruz had been sacked five matches before the end of the season after some poor cup results.

Since then, he has spent three years working in roles other than that of head coach.

Chiefs Decide Against Local Options

Fernando Da Cruz got the job ahead of some decorated alternatives.

Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos had been linked, as had Benni McCarthy and Pitso Mosimane. Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena were two other local coaches who were said to be in the running.

Chiefs have fired their coach mid-season in six of the last nine campaigns. Only Ernst Middendorp, Arthur Zwane and Nasreddine Nabi have both started, and finished, the season over the last nine years.