Kaizer Chiefs Legend Turns Down Coaching Return: 'I Would Be Messing With My Brand'

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Doctor "16V" Khumalo has clarified his position on a potential return to coaching, following growing calls from supporters for him to take the helm at the struggling club.

The speculation follows a peaceful protest held by a group of Amakhosi fans last Saturday at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena. The supporters delivered a memorandum to club management, demanding action after a string of disappointing results.

Kaizer Chiefs have recently been eliminated from both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, and have suffered three consecutive league defeats, including a heavy 3-0 loss to Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates.

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This poor run of form led fans to call for the immediate dismissal of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef. Supporters suggested that a local coach or a club legend, such as Khumalo, Pitso Mosimane, or Benni McCarthy, should be appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season.

When asked by Sunday World about his interest in returning to the dugout, Khumalo was unequivocal. "No, no, no," he stated firmly.

"If I were to go back to coaching, then I would be messing with my brand. At the moment, it’s something like being out there if a chance arises or, given an opportunity, just serving as an advisor."

Khumalo has previous coaching experience with Kaizer Chiefs. He served as interim co-coach alongside fellow legend Donald "Ace" Khuse during the 2002-2003 season after Muhsin Ertugral's departure.

The pair guided the team on a 12-match unbeaten run, earning a joint Coach of the Month award before returning to assistant roles under the late Ted Dumitru in June 2003.

He also worked as an assistant coach to Stuart Baxter and Steve Komphela between 2012 and 2017, managed youth teams, and had a short spell as technical director at Baroka FC.

Sharing his thoughts on the co-coaching model, Khumalo emphasised the importance of synergy. "Co-coaching is more about understanding, believing, and trusting one another, because at the end of the day, we have to make a collective decision on how we take the team to the next level," he explained.

"It’s not about an individual. It is about the two coaches who are given a task to lead the team together. During my time with Ace, it was easy because we played together at Kaizer Chiefs and the national team. And Ace and I have been friends for a long time, so that worked to our advantage."

"But above all," Khumalo added, "I think what made everything easy is that we understood the culture and the brand of Kaizer Chiefs."

With the club having reportedly promised fans a decision on the future of Kaze and Ben Youssef before their next match, their presence on the touchline remains uncertain. Kaizer Chiefs are scheduled to host an in-form Durban City at FNB Stadium on Sunday.