Kaizer Chiefs are on the verge of announcing a new coach for the upcoming season, with strong indications pointing towards Tunisian-born mentor Nasreddine Nabi taking the helm.
This potential appointment comes after a challenging season for the club, despite the addition of many new players last year.
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In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, former Chiefs striker Edward Manqele emphasized the importance of granting the new coach the autonomy to shape the squad according to his vision. Manqele criticised the common practice of signing or releasing players before a new coach is in place, noting that such decisions often complicate the coach's job and can lead to sub-optimal results.
"I think management should do the right thing this time when it comes to appointing a coach and giving him the power to recruit the players he needs and wants. It good to appoint a coach then let him decide which players he wants to use and sign. Obviously he will also decide which ones to release because as a manager you can't renew a players contract then a coach comes and tells you he won't use the player. So what's going to happen to that player after that? So they should wait for the coach and then talk about player movements after that," Manqele told the Siya crew.
Manqele also highlighted the pitfalls of maintaining an oversized squad, suggesting that a more focused and cohesive group could enhance team morale and performance.
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"It's also good not to have too big a squad which will go out of control because players are not happy. It's important to have a manageable squad with a few important players who will support each other all the time than having a big squad with mostly unhappy players. So the new coach should decide on that and the players he wants in the team and the club will have a wonderful season and bring back the glory days and win silverware for the club and the supporters as well," Manqele told Soccer Laduma.
As Chiefs potentially welcome Nabi as their new coach, the club stands at a critical juncture. The decisions made during this transitional period will be pivotal in shaping the team's future. By empowering Nabi to make key personnel decisions, Chiefs could lay a strong foundation for a revival, aiming to return to their former glory and satisfy their supporters' longing for success.
