Kaizer Chiefs have a huge call to make regarding what happens to head coach Arthur Zwane and whatever decision they come to will have a big bearing on next season. There have been meetings at Naturena to try to figure out the way forward and indications are that different options have been put on the table to see if they will work in terms of making sure the technical team is strong enough to compete with Big Three rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, who both have silverware in the cabinet from this past season. Soccer Laduma investigates the goings-on at Naturena in what promises to be a busy off-season!
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
Soccer Laduma understands that there have been a lot of discussions happening behind the scenes at Naturena, as Kaizer Chiefs look to make a final call on what happens next in the future of head coach Arthur Zwane. While there is a good chance that the former winger will be given another opportunity to take charge of the team in the 2023/24 season, indications are that the club is considering a few options before making the call to keep him as the main man in charge.
The man nicknamed '10111' had a difficult first season as head coach of the Soweto giants, which culminated in a fifth-place finish and 12 losses, a record for the club in the PSL era. The intention was to build a solid foundation in the coach's first season at the helm, but this publication understands that there are some concerns within management after a poor campaign. As things stand, it's understood that there are concerns that there has not been much building happening under the head coach and that there could be the same excuse of 'building' again next season, especially when you look at how the Glamour Boys finished the campaign. Had they finished in a more promising position, it's understood management would not be considering any changes, but they are seriously looking at the possibility of making changes, or additions, to the technical team.
One of the fears management has, insiders say, is that Chiefs could go through another campaign of 'building', which is not what they had as part of the plan. It's believed the club was looking to build a solid foundation in Zwane's first season and then make a serious push for titles next season, but after another disappointing season, few within the club believe the 49-year-old is capable of turning things around at Naturena.
The Siya crew understands that there was a meeting held at Naturena, with Zwane and Dillon Sheppard, after the season ended to address some pressing matters. One of those 'pressing matters' is the possibility of having a senior coach to work with Mangethe (his clan name by which he is fondly addressed by large sections of the fanbase), due to the fact that there is not enough experience in the technical team at Naturena.
Soccer Laduma has it on good authority that Molefi Ntseki, who holds the position of Head of Technical and Youth at the club, was one of the people considered to work closer with the senior side to ease the pressure on the head coach in the technical team. This publication was reliably informed that Ntseki was offered a senior coaching role, similar to what they have at Mamelodi Sundowns, but he turned down the offer as Zwane and Sheppard finished off the campaign. A co-coaching situation is understood to have also been bandied about, but word reaching the Siya crew's desk is that Zwane is not in favour of having someone coming into the technical team, as he believes he is capable of getting the job done.
Another concern for management is that they feel they backed the Meadowlands-born coach in the transfer market by getting him players, yet most of the signings have not made the impact they expected under the guidance of the coach. Amakhosi are going into the market yet again to secure players for the coach and there will be more pressure from management, who will be expecting Zwane to get the best out of them to ensure the club does not have another disaster of a campaign next term.
As things stand, the Siya crew understands the club has not made a final decision regarding the coach, but changes to the technical have not been ruled out. The Soweto giants are not looking to get rid of Zwane, but additions to the technical team are most certainly being considered, with more experience sought. This publication has been informed that Cavin Johnson was offered to Chiefs, although nothing has come of that, while Manqoba Mngqithi was also considered, although the Naturena-based side are aware that they'd need to buy him out of his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns.
What Are The Facts?
Zwane just completed the first season of his three-year deal with the club, but the management has shown that they are not afraid to sack coaches who are underperforming. And looking at the head coach's first season at the helm, he's got reason to fear for his job. Chiefs recorded over 10 defeats for the first time in the PSL era, losing 12 times in the 30 DStv Premiership matches they played under his guidance. The team finished the season with three points less than they did in 2021/22, accumulating 44 in 30 matches. This is less than half of the 90 points every club gets to compete for throughout the season. As a team wanting to challenge for honours, the Glamour Boys were nowhere near good enough at home, as revealed on the opposite page. They played 15 matches at home and finished with an uninspiring six victories. Seven win this season have come away from home. The season before, in 2021/22, Chiefs recorded six home wins in 15 matches and had seven away victories. It shows there was no improvement from the side. In 2021/22, the team conceded 26 goals in 30 matches and there were no improvements in that department either. Zwane's charges conceded 33 goals in the league, more than a goal a game, raising concerns for the club, especially after pulling out all the stops to sign the highly-rated duo of Zitha Kwinika and Edmilson Dove. In the final third of the pitch, the Soweto giants were not convincing either. They scored 32 goals, which is two less than they managed in 2021/22. Mangethe is under pressure and, should the club keep him, he might not stay long if they do not start the season well. To say that he has loads of pressure on his shoulders may perhaps be an understatement.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert opinion on Zwane's situation at Chiefs. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"I would say Kaizer Chiefs are in a bit of a difficult situation now in trying to decide what happens with the coach. I don't think they would get rid of him after one season, but they might look at wanting to bring in someone else to help the technical team. "We've seen how things have changed in South Africa where some clubs are starting to work with the co-coaching method, and we have situations at Mamelodi Sundowns where the more experienced coaches are there to support the head coach and it's working for them. "Going into next season, Arthur Zwane will be under a lot more pressure to deliver and I don't think Chiefs would be happy with another season where they don't win anything, or they don't do well in the league. Perhaps they will have a stronger mandate and management could take action if he does not do well."
The Story Behind The Scenes
Uncertainty Delaying New Signings?
Soccer Laduma has been informed that the uncertainty surrounding the coach's future has, in some cases, delayed some signings for next season. The club has already completed the signings of Mduduzi Mdantsane, Given Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe for next season, but information from sources has it that there are players who have been waiting to hear what's next due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the man in charge.
CAF Failure A Blessing In Disguise?
Chiefs missed out on qualifying for the CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup and this could be a blessing in disguise for the Soweto giants, after the season they just had. Under Zwane, they were expecting to build a solid foundation, but that has not been the case. The former winger is under pressure to get silverware in the cabinet next season and playing in one of the CAF competitions would most certainly make his job even more difficult, as expectations would rise. Not qualifying for one of the CAF competitions gives him enough time to fully focus on doing well on the domestic front, before going to tackle the rough terrains on the African continent.
No Room For Error
The Siya crew understands that the coaching department at the Soweto giants will have a stronger mandate in terms of how the team performs next season. While management has exercised patience in Zwane's tenure, it's believed that they are not going to accept another below par campaign, and this is where the technical team knows that they have to deliver.
Watch This Space
Amakhosi are looking to make their technical team stronger, and insiders have not ruled out additions in the coming weeks to ensure the club will be competitive. While Zwane might not be in favour of this, the big bosses at Naturena will make the final call and announcements are expected to be made in the coming weeks, with pre-season expected to commence towards the end of June. Should he stay, it is going to be a make-or-break for the club's legend, but should he be relieved of his duties, one wonders what the future will hold for both the club and Zwane, on whom Chiefs have invested a lot over the years, before handing him the biggest coaching job of his career so far.
