Jingles bells, Jingles bells!
Chiefs To Push For Pitso Before Christmas?
"We need to know what's the team like, what do they want, what do they expect us to do and what's the vision. Then we start to say, 'Ok, that's interesting. It's a good project.' The vision of the team, also, is important. It's not about me sending my CV to clubs and all that. Yes, I'm not boasting, we can get employed next week, if we want. It's not all about that. I also just want to spend Christmas at home. Let me see my children, have Christmas, let me have food at home. When I'm back from my holiday, just before Christmas, eight to 10 days, I just don't want to disturb that space of eight to 10 days before Christmas, and Christmas to New Year's Eve.
I think the best time for to really, really go back to work is maybe after that space, when I've seen my family. My children are all around, schools are closed. To move now, it must be a very, very big emergency. It must be worth that I must cancel the holiday with my children and spend Christmas away from home." These are the words of Pitso Mosimane, speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) in his first interview since leaving Al Wahda. Undoubtedly one of the best in the business, the coach has set a marker, effectively his next move, which is only likely to be in 2024. As per the above comment, a likely return to a local club prior to that would only be if "there was a serious emergency". What does the future hold for the former Bafana Bafana mentor in South Africa and would Kaizer Chiefs' emergency, that of a need for a permanent coach, warrant an immediate response from the man affectionately known as 'Jingles'?
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
A number of clubs worldwide are on high alert following Pitso Mosimane's exit from Al Wahda! The coach recently brought his four-month stint
– the shortest of his managerial career
– to an end citing a difference in the vision with the club's management as the reason for his exit.
However, the 59-year-old is not without options! In a tell-all conversation with the South African Football Journalists Association, he revealed that he has interest from Asia (China and Japan), Europe, North America, a number of national teams as well as from back home.
As he previously has done before taking up jobs at Al Ahly, Al Ahli Jeddah and Al Wahda, the Kagisoborn mentor outlined his plan for his return date and what he is looking for in a club. Essentially, Mosimane has eyed 2024 as the ideal date for a possible return – but would only take up a post prior to that on one condition, if the emergency were big enough that he would miss Christmas with his family.
With five wins, six losses and two draws in their opening 13 games, Kaizer Chiefs are not exactly a team in crisis, having picked up a morale-boosting win over Moroka Swallows in the Soweto Derby last weekend. However, they are a club in search of a coach. That's a fact.
As reported by Soccer Laduma earlier this month, the club's top brass have prioritised a 'high-profile' coach that can restore their glory days, and they don't come higher than the man who answers to the moniker "Jingles". Amakhosi, however, if they do decide to chase coach Mosimane's signature, will have to make do with the coach's demands for a winning formula, which include:
• Headhunting the coach. The former Bafana Bafana coach has been adamant that he would not be sending his CV out and that any club interested in him would have to see him as the ideal fit for their ambitions.
• Choosing his own technical team. He refers to his technical team as soldiers, the Navy Seals who sweep into a project and clean up, or in this case, fill up the club's trophy cabinet as they did in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
• A project. In addition to a conducive working environment, the ex- SuperSport United head coach demands that there be a clear project from his potential employers, whether that is domestically or in cup competitions.
• A lack of interference. The 59-year-old has a distinct way in which he works and cited a lack of understanding over the club's direction as the reason for him parting ways with Al Wahda. He made reference to Arsenal's patience with Mikel Arteta and that of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City without interference from the club's management, who need to trust what he is doing.
On the back of the charismatic coach's comments, at the present moment, Chiefs would have to change quite a bit of their modus operandi if they are to land his services. That, however, will depend on Mosimane's decision and if the Soweto giants do take their interest further and table an official offer.
What Are The Facts?
What is clear is that Mosimane is not desperate and will bide his time before making a decision on his future, which, judging by his plans to go on holiday, will only likely be in January 2024. He is also clear on what he expects from his next team and there's a criteria to be met before he aligns with the club to try and deliver success.
Mosimane's management team, led by his wife Moira Tlhagale, is also quite clear about the qualities required by a club to lure the coach as well as the financial incentives that need to accompany it.
"It's sort of a give and take, but I think one of the key things that I've found is to ensure that we all come out with an understanding that our coaches need to get exactly the same as the European coaches with context, right? I won't say if he has to go and coach in any African country he must get what (Jose) Mourinho is getting, right? But it has to be, sort of, balanced in terms of what Africa pays. I do a lot of research in terms of what other coaches have been paid in South Africa and now another South African comes, or even outside… what they want to pay. And that's what I fight about a lot. That it's not necessarily where the person comes from, it's about the level of stress and quality that they are gonna give and the fact that they are operating at that level," she told this publication in an interview earlier this year.
The decorated mentor is also not short of options. Having proven himself against some of the best coaches in the world, the 59-year-old does have the luxury to cherry-pick his next team and do so at his own leisure.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Would Pitso be the right fit for Chiefs?
The Glamour Boys missed out on the opportunity to sign the three-time CAF Champions League winner when he returned to the country in 2022 – but will they do so again with Mosimane now a free agent? Having contributed heavily to the Mamelodi Sundowns dominance in recent years that has seen the Soweto giants endure an ongoing eight-year trophy drought shows that they are aware of what he has to offer as a coach. He was also in charge of the Al Ahly team that denied Chiefs Champions League glory in 2021, wreaking further havoc on their trophy ambitions. One concern for the Naturena-based outfit could be Mosimane's outspoken nature. The club's marketing team place a high importance on the brand and the public opinion thereof. With that in mind, the coach's frankness will be something that they will need to manage. In aligning their mutual objectives, it could be the perfect mix. Chiefs want to get back to winning ways and Mosimane has a proven track record as a winner. The club would have to stretch their current wage bill for the coach. Another thing they would have to change is that fact that Mosimane would have complete freedom to bring in the players he wants, and will not be dictated to by management. The fit could be perfect if they are on the same page…
Amakhosi Would Face Stiff Competition
The former Bafana coach has revealed that his strongest inkling at the moment is to explore his options in Asia, particularly Japan and China, where he is understood to have attracted interest. Having already traversed the Gulf region, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Asia and Europe are the only two emerging footballing destinations that he is yet to explore.
"There has been interest, a little bit of talk and there has been an interesting one also from North America, and why not? Why not go to North America? Why not go east in Japan, China, those places, you know? Because also, for us, it's our legacy. Yeah, so if you can get a project that's interesting in the Gulf and … just making example … a similar project in Asia, probably I'll go to Asia just to go see. I mean, when I'm saying Asia, I know the Gulf is Asia, but I'm talking east now, why not? And there's been also an interest, not an interest, just a conversation in Europe. Maybe this will break the ice, I don't know… but in east Europe, not the ones that we all talk about – France, England, Italy and all that. So, yeah. And probably there might be interest back at home and also maybe national teams would be nice also. That depends which one, it depends on the reason," he told SAFJA.
Needless to say, Chiefs would face stiff competition for the coach's signature if they were to table a formal offer.
National Team
In his interview with SAFJA, Mosimane revealed his ambition to lead a country to Africa Cup of Nations glory as well as through World Cup qualifiers. He also touched on the persistent talk linking him to the Nigeria national team.
Prior to taking up a post at Al Wahda, the Kagiso-born mentor was heavily linked to the Super Eagles' head coaching role. At the time, however, he opted to continue his career as a club coach and seemingly chose the day-to-day exertions of club football over a national team position – for now. Mosimane is available on a free now, with Nigeria struggling in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification under under-fire Jose Peseiro, whose contract as coach Nigeria will expire after the Afcon in January, if he fails to reach the final of the competition. Mosimane has a world of experience as a national coach, though the timing may not be right at this point in time.
European A Possibility?
The former Jomo Cosmos striker, who is a CAF Pro License holder, has previously been vocal about working in Europe. He dropped a bombshell when he revealed that he could be breaking the ice in Europe after holding informal talks with an unknown club. Mosimane has shown his mettle against European coaches when he took on both Thomas Tuchel and Hand Dieter Flick in the FIFA Club World Cup with Al Ahly, with both coaches speaking highly of his capabilities. It's no secret that 'Jingles' does harbour ambitions to coach in Europe and you can expect more talks to take place about a possible move abroad.
Watch This Space
Having returned to South Africa to be closer to his family, expect Mosimane to bide his time before deciding on his next move. The highly-rated coach will not be desperate to get back into it, and will rather ensure that the project is one that resonates with him. If an offer from Europe comes in, then he will give it serious consideration, though it's likely that he will be selective of the club. In Mzansi, Chiefs is the most viable option for the experienced mentor, but it will all depend on what the Soweto giants decide. Will they divert from their modus operandi to accommodate the coach's arrival and do they see him as the right fit?
