Kaizer Chiefs confirmed the sacking of Stuart Baxter on Thursday night. Just like the previous season, AmaKhosi made an interim appointment, Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard will see out the remainder of the campaign.
Kaizer Chiefs have seen seven men take charge of the first team since their last league title back in 2015, with five permanent appointments made and two filling interim or caretaker roles.
The five are Steve Komphela, Giovanni Solinas (Italy), Ernst Middendorp (Germany), Gavin Hunt and Baxter.
The interim/caretaker managers have been Patrick Mabedi, while Zwane/Sheppard will have their second spell.
Another big decision now needs to be made in the dugout at Naturena.
The search for a new coach begins!
It appears as if the fans want Arthur Zwane and Sheppard to be given the reigns on a permanent basis while others think it’s a big risk as they are both inexperienced coaches. Suggestions were made with names like Benni McCarthy, Patrice Carteron and Cavin Johnson thrown into the hat.
A dark horse has emerged in the form of former Orlando Pirates coach, Ruud Krol.
Since 2015:
— Pro Philani (@prophilani) April 21, 2022
SK
Mabedi
Solinas
Midderndorp
Hunt
Zwane
Baxter
*Pending name
Pirates:
VV
Tinkler
Jonevret
Palacios
Micho
Mokoena
Zinnbauer
Ncikazi/Davids
Sundowns:
Mosimane
Mngqithi/ Mokoena
Kubi... https://t.co/fc9m8DfCYt
Who next for Kaizer Chiefs?
Various reports stated that Kaizer Chiefs board as held emergency meetings since the start of the year and they’ve had conversations with a few coaches.
Arthur, Benni in the reckoning for Chiefs job? https://t.co/BgYOyQVAJ1
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) April 22, 2022
Benni McCarthy
When AmaZulu FC confirmed the sacking of Benni McCarthy, most people said Benni will reunite with Siyabonga Sithebe at Kaizer Chiefs next season.
It does look like some of the board members are keen on landing the 2020/21 Coach of the Season. Coach Benni has proved a worthy coach after what he did at Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
At City, Benni won the MTN8 while he guided AmaZulu to a second-place finish in the league. Usuthu qualified for their first-ever CAF Champions League where they were knocked out in the group stages.
BENNI MCCARTHY TO KAIZER CHIEFS. ⚽️❤
— Thabiso Sthabi Mo🇿🇦 (@mo_thabiso) April 20, 2022
Kaizer Motaung Junior has suggested that he want Benni Mccarthy at Naturena, As They Need Someone Who Understand Modern Football. Now It's Up To Benni To Respond. pic.twitter.com/bQ5lm8af3G
Patrice Carteron
Patrice Carteron is a serial winner and is no stranger to African football. The man had successful spells at TP Mazembe and Zamalek. He also coached clubs like Raja Casablanca and the Mali national team.
Carteron won the Egyptian League with Zamalek, CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe and is a two-time CAF Super Cup winner with Raja Casablanca and Zamalek. He’s also a two-time league winner in DRC.
🚨 ICYMI: MNF on Front Runner
— Front Runner (@FrunSports) April 20, 2022
🗣️ Coach Cavin Johnson believes Patrice Carteron is not good enough for South African football.
📹 Full Show: https://t.co/bWbBpKHu3M#MNFonFR pic.twitter.com/XVfYXuN1ly
Cavin Johnson
Cavin Johnson served as an assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly. The duo led the Red Eagles to two CAF Champions League trophies and a third-place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup.
In the PSL, Johnson coached Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, AmaZulu and Black Leopards.
Ruud Krol
Of the coaches mentioned Ruud Krol is obviously the most successful and most experienced.
Just like coach Benni, Krol is also a PSL Coach of the Season winner. He was named Coach of the Year when he guided Orlando Pirates to their first treble-winning season in 2010/11.
In Tunisia, Krol is a two-time league winner, winning with Esperance and CS Sfaxien.
He’s also a CAF Confederation Cup winner. The Dutchman also had spells in Egypt where he coached Zamalek, Egyptian U23 and the national team.
Ruud Krol says he would have no problem joining Kaizer Chiefs if the opportunity presented itself.
— Sinethemba Makonco 🇿🇦 (@Makonco_M) April 22, 2022
“I’ve no problem with that [joining Pirates rivals], I like yellow,” Ruud Krolhttps://t.co/WNzqHpPzZ2 pic.twitter.com/mzqFXUyY2C
Arthur Zwane
Despite all the big names mentioned and colourful CVs, the majority of fans are clear about their choice and that’s club legend Arthur Zwane.
Zwane joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2000 from Thembisa Classic and he’s been at the club since. The fans believe he knows the culture of Kaizer Chiefs and understands what’s needed to be successful at Naturena.
Zwane has the advantage of working with most of the players from the MDC team. 10111 also worked with Gavin Hunt and Stuart Baxter where he learnt a thing or two from those two successful coaches.
“Kaizer Chiefs play to win, we not going to defend 1 goal, we want to score more goals ”@KaizerChiefs do the right thing 🤲🏽🤲🏽🤲🏽🥺🥺🥺🕯🕯🕯🕯
— Xolani (@Ta_Size_) April 21, 2022
Arthur Zwane Kaizer Chiefs coach 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🕯🕯🕯🕯#KaizerChiefs #Amakhosi4Life #ZwaneBall pic.twitter.com/tNGQQYjzFK
