DYLAN APPOLIS takes a look at five possible candidates who could replace Steve Komphela at the helm of Kaizer Chiefs.
The 50-year-old brought his three-year tenure at the Soweto giants to an end as he handed his resignation immediately after Amakhosi’s were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup semi-final courtesy of a shock 2-0 defeat to Free State Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.
Following their defeat, fans invaded the pitch to chased players and assault security guards while they also set the stadium’s seats alight for the second time in two weeks.
Five candidates to replace Komphela:
Luc Eymael
The Belgian coach is a firm favourite to take over at the club after recent speculation linked the 58-year-old with a move to Chiefs following his impressive campaign with Free State Stars. Eymael has lead Stars to fifth place in the Absa Premiership standings with 39 points from 27 games.
Eymael brings vast experience with him having already spent time coaching in Belgium, DR Congo, Gabon, Algeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia, Oman, Sudan and South Africa while claiming four trophies in the process.
Gordan Igesund
The former Bafana Bafana coach would be an ideal candidate if Amakhosi were looking for a homegrown coach. The current Santos mentor has already won four Absa Premiership title with four different clubs (Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns) while also winning the BP Top Eight Cup with Pirates in 2000 and the SAA Supa 8 in 2007 with Sundowns..
Dan Malesela
Malesela is currently unattached and has been without a club since parting ways with Chippa earlier this season, and could be another candidate to take over the role of head coach at Naturena. The 52-year-old has experience managing United FC, Mamelodi Sundowns Youth, Cape Town All Stars and the Chilli Boys.
Ruud Krol
Krol is also considered as a likely candidate to succeed Komphela, having left a huge imprint on South African football after guided the Buccaneers to numerous trophies between 2008-2011. During his tenure at the Sea Robbers, the 67-year-old won back-to-back Telkom Knockout and MTN8 titles in 2010 and 2011, while winning the league in his last season in charge of the club.
Nikola Kavazovic
Chiefs have also recently targeted Nikola Kavazovic as a possible replacement for Komphela after the Serbian coach led Botswana outfit Township Rollers into the Caf Champions league group stages for the first time in the club’s history. Kavazovic’s contract expires in 2019 and the Botswana side have already held talks with former Orlando Pirates coach Kostadin Papic.
Eric Tinkler
Tinkler could also be considered a contender for the Chiefs job after the former Bafana Bafana midfielder parted ways with SuperSport United this year. The 47-year-old has a wealth of experience as a coach, having already coached the likes of Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City and most recently Matsatsantsa while winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.