Kaizer Chiefs are expected to weigh up the potential return of Dillon Sheppard to the first team, and the Siya crew has the latest on the situation.
Siya sources close to the club and the player have indicated Amakhosi are due to finalise Sheppard's position after the conclusion of their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.
The sources close to Naturena added that discussions have progressed, with formal details to be discussed soon as Chiefs are busy preparing for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
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As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, the club initially pointed out that football is a universal language and that Chiefs don't necessarily need a South African assistant in their technical team. However, the understanding is that this stance was to underline that communication isn't a problem in the camp, but it doesn't mean Chiefs wouldn't consider a local coach if one became available on merit.
"That's the plan. The club is believed to have spoken to the senior technical team about his addition and apparently all parties agreed that it's a good idea, mainly in assisting with the local players whether young or experienced stars. So that's the position right now," the source told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile, a second insider stated that the South African coach could potentially maintain a dual role, continuing his involvement with the DDC team that he helped guide to their maiden silverware last season as an assistant to Vela Khumalo.
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"The arrangement is that he would be with the senior team during the week, and when, and if the DDC is playing, then he will be with them. You know most of the time coach Vela Khumalo is with the Under-17 national team and in September they are going to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup so coach Sheppard will still be coaching there (in the DDC) as well. Apparently that's the arrangement as things stand," the second source told the Siya crew.
The 46-year-old joined Amakhosi as an assistant to Gavin Hunt and subsequently worked alongside previous head coaches Arthur Zwane, Molefi Ntseki, and Cavin Johnson. Last season, as Khumalo's assistant in the DDC, he helped the team win their first-ever DDC League title, with Khumalo frequently away on SA national team duties.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for official comment on the situation but received no response at the time of publishing this story.
