Kaizer Chiefs boss Fernando Da Cruz faces growing pressure amid club unrest

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says he knew the demands of managing the Soweto club would be intense, as disagreements over his team selections fuel growing concern behind the scenes.

Sources within the club say differences have developed between members of the Amakhosi hierarchy and staff while inconsistent performances and disappointing results continue to trouble the team.

Kaizer Chiefs have not yet been beaten in the Betway Premiership this season. However, their overall form has been less convincing, with the club winning two, drawing five and losing one of their past eight matches in all competitions.

Da Cruz accepts that expectations at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs are high but says his priority remains improving the team and delivering results for the supporters.

“From the day I joined Kaizer Chiefs, I knew that the pressure would be very high,” said Da Cruz.

“And I put pressure on myself every day; we try step by step to improve the level. We don’t get the results from the moment we expect them, and that the fans expect.

“I’m focused on my job; we are focused on the team to improve our level and get the results that we want. The most important thing for me is that the fans must be happy. We are only on our job.”

The Frenchman was also questioned about Kaizer Chiefs’ lack of sustained success over the past decade.

The club has endured a difficult period and has struggled to restore the level of achievement expected of it. Da Cruz said the rebuilding process would require patience, using Arsenal’s development under Mikel Arteta and Paris Saint-Germain’s pursuit of UEFA Champions League success as examples.

He argued that major projects cannot be completed immediately and insisted that his attention remained on developing Kaizer Chiefs, rather than responding to different opinions about the team.

“Everyone is free to think what they want; the most important thing is to continue to develop our club because we are only focused on that. And one more time, everyone can think what he wants,” he added.

“For example, there’s one club, Arsenal. It took seven years with Arteta to win one title. Paris Saint-Germain, it took 13 years to win one Champions League. So when we want to develop one project in one club, it takes time. It’s not from one day to the other day.”

Despite remaining unbeaten in the Betway Premiership, Kaizer Chiefs’ run of results across all competitions has increased pressure on Da Cruz and contributed to unease within the club. The coach, however, remains focused on improving the side and making the club’s supporters happy.