Fernando Da Cruz is the new Kaizer Chiefs boss. We’ve done a little digging to discover what type of football he’ll get his side to play.
Kaizer Chiefs are in it for the long haul
As you’ll know by now, Kaizer Chiefs have hired a new manager. There will be pressure on 53-year-old Frenchman Fernando Da Cruz to instil a proper playing identity at one of African football’s truly massive clubs. Because he’s known for his emphasis on tactical discipline and defensive structure, Chiefs fans shouldn’t be expecting their team to go all guns blazing to win games by halftime. After several periods of upheaval and interim managerial stints, fans will be eager to see the club stick with one man for an extended period. He’s also got an interesting background, too.
A student of Marcelo Bielsa
Da Cruz worked alongside the legendary Argentine Marcelo Bielsa at Lille. Da Cruz had three stints with the French outfit in several roles, namely as a scout, caretaker manager and head coach of the B side, where he nurtured talents such as Idrissa Gueye, Lucas Digne, Victor Osimhen, and Eden Hazard. This will be music to the ears of Chiefs fans, who always champion the youth players who come through the club’s structures.
Will Bielsa’s ways rub off on Da Cruz’s Kaizer Chiefs?
Formerly with Leeds and the Argentine national side, Bielsa is famed for his intense, aggressive, counter-pressing tactics in a 4-3-3. That type of system needs midfield workhorses, so perhaps this is a glimpse into Chiefs’ future. Bielsa is now the Uruguay coach, so a sneak peek at La Celeste’s World Cup exploits might be a fun way for Chiefs to pass the time this month. Da Cruz played futsal
Where will the flair and spontaneity come from?
Fernando Da Cruz played for the French Futsal side between 1998 and 2006. Whether or not that has some influence on his coaching style is unclear, but it’s an interesting addition to his tactical armoury.
