A veteran PSL coach has raised concerns that Kaizer Chiefs fans may struggle to understand what Cavin Johnson's role is in the team.
Johnson led Amakhosi for the first time as they lost 2-1 to Golden Arrows on Saturday and veteran coach Jacob Sakala feels that there could be a misunderstanding on what the club's plan might be about the tactician.
When Chiefs replaced Molefi Ntseki with Johnson last week, the club confirmed that the former Al Ahly assistant coach had been brought in on an interim basis.
Johnson had initially been appointed as the Head of Academy last month.
Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, Sakala said he feels that a different coach should have been appointed to take the Soweto giants forward.
The Good
"Chiefs is a big team and that's important to mention as nobody can take that away from the club. Chiefs should give the club's coaching job to deserving experienced coaches to do the job for the team. I know there are so many up-and-coming coaches in the country and they are hungry to succeed but they can't expect to start at big clubs like Chiefs. I am happy that Chiefs chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung, has given chances to local coaches to coach the team but after those chances have been given we can all see that the team needs somebody from outside the country with a lot of experience if a suitable former Chiefs player who's got the experience in coaching at the highest level cannot be found," said Sakala.
The Bad
"Molefi Ntseki is gone and Cavin Johnson has come in to replace him but I don't think that will make a change. Chiefs need to appoint somebody who has played for the club but he must have experience as a coach. There are many people out there who understand Chiefs and those are the people who should be considered for the club's coaching job. I am not trying to talk badly about Cavin but he won't change anything. I am well aware that Cavin did coach at Al Ahly at some stage but he was not the head coach as the mastermind there was Pitso (Mosimane). Yes, Pitso had a group of people assisting him in the technical team but he was running the show," the coach added.
The Ugly
"I know that Chiefs have said that Cavin is an interim coach but people (the fans) won't understand that. People are waiting to see the results. What is going on there will make even Molefi proud because he might ask, 'What changes have they made?' When you bring somebody new to the team, there must be changes. The results must be there for everyone to see," he said.
"Let's give Cavin a chance but…"
"There are a lot of coaches who have been there and done that and in saying this I am not talking about Dillon Sheppard. What I can also tell you about coaching is that coaching is a God-given talent and it is not like everybody can just become a coach. I see a lot of people thinking that they can stop playing football today and become coaches tomorrow. Let's give Cavin a chance but I don't think he will make it. I don't foresee a lot of changes in the team under him. Chiefs have its own culture and there is always a lot of hunger in the team because if (Orlando) Pirates and (Mamelodi) Sundowns are moving, there is a problem if Chiefs are not moving as one of the big teams also in the league. People mustn't just accept the job just because there is money involved. Don't try to fit yourself in the big shoes if you know that you might not be able to deliver. Again, I am not trying to talk badly about Cavin but I am saying I don't see things changing for Chiefs under him," concluded Sakala.
What did you think of Chiefs' performance in their first match under Johnson?
