Kaizer Chiefs have opened negotiations with French coach Fernando Da Cruz regarding a potential return to Naturena as their next permanent head coach, with discussions currently focused on his request to bring his own technical team .
Da Cruz’s Previous Stint
Da Cruz joined Amakhosi as an assistant coach in July 2025 and led the team during pre-season while Nasreddine Nabi was finishing his contract with AS FAR in Morocco . The 52-year-old UEFA Pro Licence holder, however, left before the start of the season after accepting a position with the Moroccan Football Federation . He has since left that role and is now back in France .
Negotiation Stumbling Block
Da Cruz is said to be keen to rejoin Amakhosi, but on condition that he returns with his own technical team . “The management wants Da Cruz to work with the current technical team, but he has made it clear that he wants to come with his own technical team, and that’s the stumbling block for now. Otherwise, he would have been announced already by now,” a source told Phakaaathi .
Reports indicate Da Cruz has already applied for a South African work permit, although discussions continue over his request, which is standard for top coaches worldwide .
Coaching Credentials
Da Cruz brings significant experience, having previously managed Lille OSC B in France and Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium . His crowning achievement came with AS FAR Rabat in Morocco, where he won the Botola Pro League title in the 2022/23 season with an impressive record of 26 wins in 42 matches .
Current Coaching Situation
Chiefs are currently led by co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who were given the reins after the club parted ways with Nabi in October 2025 . The team has endured a difficult period, suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time since the club was founded in 1970 .
Amakhosi sit in sixth place in the Betway Premiership standings with 30 points from 18 matches, trailing league leaders Orlando Pirates and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by 14 points . The club has also crashed out of the Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, and the CAF Confederation Cup .
Fan Pressure and Other Candidates
There have been growing calls from disgruntled Chiefs fans for a coaching change after the club’s recent slump . Fans marched to the Naturena Village to demand changes, with some branding Kaze and Youssef’s tactics as “Betrayal Football” .
The names of Pitso Mosimane and Benni McCarthy have been mentioned as possible candidates for the job . However, Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has stated it would be unprofessional to discuss other coaches while the club still has Kaze and Ben Youssef in charge . For now, Da Cruz is believed to be the favourite to land the position .
