Many names have come and gone in recent weeks and months as Cavin Johnson reign as Kaizer Chiefs coach comes to an end.
Amakhosi management will be appointing a new head coach on a permanent basis at the end of the season. Furthermore, they want the next coach to be experienced and to be signed on a long-term deal. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the list of candidates for the Amakhosi hot seat.
RUI VITORIA (THE FAVOURITE)
Rui Vitori has emerged as the new favourite for the Amakhosi hotseat, according to Goal. This comes despite Mosimane and Mngqithi’s availability.
Meanwhile, he is not short on experience either having recently been involved with Egypt during their 2024 AFCON campaign in Ivory Coast. Vitoria also boast experience with Cristiano Ronaldo’s current side, Al Nassr, having coached the Saudi Arabian-based outfit during the 2018/19 season. Therefore, Amakhosi management believe he has the potential to turn the clubs fortunes around.
RAUL CANEDA (PEP GUARDIOLA’S CONFIDANT)
Surpisingly, Caneda has also been identified as one of the favorites for the coveted Chiefs hotseat.
Caneda holds both the UEFA Pro and Uefa A coaching licenses. He was the former assistant coach of Spanish-based outfit both Real Sociedad and UD Almeria. More recently, Caneda took charge of Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr. However, he has been clubless since leaving UAE’s side Khor Fakken back in 2020.
He is a free agent as well. Furthermore, he reported sent his CV to Amakhosi bosses a few months ago.
PITSO MOSIMANE (CHIEFS DREAM PICK)
Mosimane to Chiefs is the fantasy pick for every Amakhosi fan. Moreover, he will be available at the same time that Chiefs will be signing their next head coach. To make make matters even more interesting, when he joined Al Abha he signed a short-term four-month deal.
During this time, Kaizer Motaung confirmed his plans to have Mosimane take over from Johnson at the end of the season. Furthermore, Amakhosi are in a nine-year trophy drought. If there is one man who could turn their fortunes around it is Mosimane. After all, he won several PSL titles with Mamelodi Sundowns as well as two CAF Champions Leagues with Al Ahly. He also lead them to back-to-back bronze medal finishes in the FIFA Club World Cup. More recently, he awoke the sleeping giants, Al Ahly, securing promotion back into the top flight of Saudi Arabian football. Chiefs want an experienced manager who is successful.
Meanwhile, Mosimane wants a clear vision and plan, a project to take charge of. We know the vision – return Amakhosi to their glory days and the hardest project in the PSL right now is bringing silverware in to Naturena. The stars are aligned. Most Amakhosi fans will be hoping the Caneda deal falls through since he is the current front-runner.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI (SUNDOWNS ASSISTANT)
Mngqithi is another experienced coach that will be available at the end of the season. As previously reported on The South African, the Sundowns tactician has openly stated that he wants to join Chiefs.
Therefore, it may very well depend on whether he opts to extend his contract at the end of the season or not. So, If he opts to pursue life elsewhere then the deal will become a very real possibility. He has experience and he has tasted success in abundance alongside Rhulani Mokwena at Sundowns.
DONALD KHUSE (CHIEFS LEGEND)
The legendary “Ace” may hold the cards to the new era of Amakhosi football. Interestingly, the Amakhosi legend has been recently linked with the Chiefs hotseat. Khuse is one of the most widely-respected and well-known Amakhosi legends of all time.
He is one of the wildcards for the job given his lack of senior coaching experience compared to the other candidates. However, he is a legend and his appointment would certainly bring hope and joy to many Amakhosi fans.
OTHER CANDIDATES: JOSE PESEIRO, BENNI MCCARTHY, NASREDDINE NABI
Many candidates have emerged since Amakhosi management announced that they will be appointing a permanent coach at the end of the season. However, for these men, it appears to be based on more hype and here-say than reality. Former Nigerian coach, Peseiro, Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates legend McCarthy and former leading candidate Nabi were the most noticeable names mentioned (besides the current shortlist).
However, they are unlikely to be involved. Cameroon are targeting his signature and interest seems to have died down in recent weeks. On the other hand, McCarthy made it clear that he will not join a local side in SA. Finally, Nabi signed a two-year deal with AS Far which means if Chiefs pursue him again they will have to buy him out of his contract with his current contract deal ending in June 2025.