Kaizer Chiefs had a transfer kitty of R50 million, most of which, as Soccer Laduma previously reported, went to the acquiring of an unprecedented technical team at the club, which came in one package. Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr explains why it's worth it.
After landing head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who came with his own team, first assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, second assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz (who has since left the club), goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi and strength and conditioning coach Safi Majdi.
Chiefs had to box clever in the transfer market but after signing goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, Bongani Sam, Rushwin Dortley, Gaston Sirino, Inacio Miguel, Bradley Cross and Njabulo Blom.
The Glamour Boys have still come short in the strike force and on the wings.
READ: Agent Unhappy With Chiefs' Nabi For Alleged U-Turn
Motaung Jr has explained that this unprecedented move had to happen, as there was a consensus among the powers that be at the club, that they needed to upgrade the technical team first and foremost.
"It's a clear movement and a statement of intent, I think we needed a big response, we looked inside ourselves and saw that one of the areas that needed attention, we need to be a team that people want to identify with. We want to play the kind of football that people have grown up with," Motaung Jr said on 947's MSW.
"And from the board, the stakeholders, who are at the forefront of making things possible, the chairman, on the financial side, the commercial side, all our sponsors, it was a collective sitting down, what direction are we taking and what do we need. It's the first time we've had five internationals on the bench and of that calibre. It's a clear indication of where we need to go, it's not a short-term investment."
The Glamour Boys faced a challenge of the start of the Premiership being delayed, which put their plans into disarray, as they could not play competitive football for six weeks behind schedule after they did not qualify for the MTN8.
However, the former Amakhosi striker is confident they have hired one of the best conditioning coaches in the business and his expertise came handy.
"We're very lucky to have the level of mind and expertise, not just of the technical staff, but Safi Majdi, for me hands down the best conditioning coach I've ever seen in my life. His plan and periodization was very specific, very calculated," Motaung Jr said in the same interview.
READ: Chiefs Decide Jansen's Future
The Soweto giants are also confident of their technical staff, that they are seemingly not in a hurry to replace Da Cruz, who abruptly left to join Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
"We've got a top first assistant coach Ben Khalil, it's not like we don't have an assistant coach, we have someone who works very closely with the coach, a top mind and we're extremely happy to have Ben with us. The coach is very clear on who he wants in his technical staff, we have a great mind like Ben who is assisting the coach and we're very happy with that," Motaung Jr added.
