Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune believes the club’s recent
downturn in form underscores a fundamental issue: the absence of a
permanently appointed head coach.
Amakhosi have suffered four consecutive defeats, effectively ending any
hopes of silverware this season. The slump has coincided with a period of
instability on the bench following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi, with
assistants Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze currently holding the fort.
Khune, who spent the majority of his illustrious career at Naturena, drew on
his own playing experience to explain why interim arrangements often fail to
produce results.
“Chiefs need a recognised head coach,” Khune stated. “I remember during my
playing days there were times where the coach would be sacked, and the
assistants would take over, and some players had no respect for the
assistant because an assistant is not like a head coach.”
The veteran goalkeeper highlighted the psychological shift that occurs when
assistants step into the main role, suggesting that familiarity can breed
complacency.
“A head coach, you’ll find him too serious, and players will be scared of
him. Assistants will be more lenient and joking with players, and then as
soon as they take over as head coaches or co-coaches, players tend not to
take them seriously.”
Khune also pointed to the confusion that can arise from shared leadership
responsibilities.
“A team like Kaizer Chiefs should be having a head coach at all times, not
interim or co-coaches, because you don’t know who to take instructions from.
When the head coach is there, you take instructions from one individual, but
when you have two, you don’t know who to listen to, and you get confused as
a player.”
The former Bafana Bafana international expressed sympathy for the current
squad navigating this uncertain period, emphasising that clear direction
from the technical bench is essential—especially during difficult phases.
“So I sometimes feel for the players,” he concluded.
Khune’s comments add to the growing discourse around Chiefs’ structural
stability as the club looks to arrest their slide and plan for a more
competitive future.
