Fernando Da Cruz is reportedly the leading candidate to take charge of Kaizer Chiefs next season.
Da Cruz is no stranger to the Soweto giants, having served as an assistant to Nasreddine Nabi during the 2024 pre-season.
His stint at Naturena however, was short-lived as he departed after just a week to join the Moroccan national team setup.
With reports linking Da Cruz to the Chiefs job, club legend Tsepo Masilela has explained why management may favour him over a more established coach such as Pitso Mosimane.
“When you look at his CV, it’s not the most glamorous, but he was Nabi’s assistant and was involved in the pre-season preparations,” Masilela said on Soccerbeat.
“When people ask, ‘Why not Pitso? Why go for a less fancied coach?’ I think football is about more than just a coach’s profile. Every club has its own culture and identity, and not every coach is the right fit for every team.
“I don’t think Mourinho would coach Barcelona, for example. Sometimes you wish for a coach like Pitso, but perhaps the management felt he wouldn’t be the right fit for Kaizer Chiefs.”
Da Cruz favourite to land the Chiefs job
Masilela also supported the club’s decision to part ways with co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. The duo took charge following Nabi’s departure in September last year and guided Amakhosi to a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership.
As things stand, Kaizer Chiefs have yet to make an official announcement regarding their next head coach or any new signings ahead of the upcoming season but Da Cruz is a hot favourite to take over.