By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kaizer Chiefs Football Club confirmed the appointment of Fernando da Cruz as Head Coach ahead of the new 2026/27 season.
Da Cruz has signed a two-year contract with a one-year option, effective 1 July 2026.
“Kaizer Chiefs are pleased to announce the appointment of Fernando da Cruz as head coach. He has signed a two-year contract with a one-year option, effective 1 July 2026,” Chiefs said in a social media post on Wednesday.
“Joining him on the bench will be Assistant Coach Mahmoud Abbas, a 35-year-old Egyptian with vast experience who will add further depth to the technical team.
“The sports science portfolio will come under the direction of Julien le Heran, who was also born in France.
“The squad returns to training on Thursday 18 June, with the assistant-coach overseeing baseline preparations before Da Cruz’s arrival in just under a fortnight’s time. On his arrival, the coach will use the few days before a pre-season camp to evaluate the team and its progress.”
Born in France, Da Cruz holds a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching certification in football.
He worked briefly with Chiefs during pre-season two years ago before joining the Moroccan Football Federation, where he served as Technical Director until the end of June.
He will officially take charge of Amakhosi at the beginning of July.
Chiefs are one of the most resourced teams in the league, meaning they can attract top talent both locally and internationally. However, players who have joined Chiefs have recently regressed, raising serious questions about the quality of coaching at the club.