The similarities in the struggles of Manchester United and Kaizer Chiefs are clear with off-field mismanagement and poor signings resulting in teams whose on-field performances have left their supporters disillusioned as their auras fade, writes SASoccerMag’s DEAN WORKMAN.
In the not so distant past, both Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester United were undoubtedly the biggest clubs in their respective countries, enjoying success both on and off the field as they leveraged the boom of the digital age.
However, both these clubs haven’t made the correct decisions to ensure continued success as their rivals have surged ahead of them.
Locally, Kaizer Chiefs have not won a trophy since the 2014-15 season, when they won the league under Stuart Baxter, while the Red Devils are without a trophy since 2017, their longest drought in four decades.
United’s decline coincides with the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and the poor decisions by non-footballers such as Ed Woodward, whose focus was always on marketing and financial success – something which would have made United’s much-talked-about owners very happy.
A number of poor signings, both managerial and playing personnel, have had United fall far behind Manchester City and Liverpool with fans holding numerous protests against the owners.
Chiefs, similarly, have a marketing and digital team that rival that of any European team, along with the best training facilities in the country while also playing out of the biggest stadium in the FNB Stadium.
However, after poor investment in players they were overtaken by Mamelodi Sundowns as the country’s premier player destination.
A quick look into the signings made by the Soweto giants show just how dependent they have been on free transfers, while Sundowns have not been afraid to splash the cash and snap up most of the country’s top talent.
A key issue for both these clubs has been the people in decision-making roles. At Man United those people are selected by the Glazers, while Chiefs are a “family business”.
The much-talked-about family business line was made by Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung when he received a lot of backlash in 2011 for his comments when supporters were demanding for his departure.
“As for those who dream that Bobby Motaung must step down, that Bobby Motaung must go, it is a dream! Bobby Motaung goes nowhere. I’m not elected here. I was not appointed by ANC or IFP … I will be here as long as this company exists,” Motaung was quoted by KickOff at the time.
“I didn’t apply with a CV for the job, so that must be clear to those that have a dream that Bobby Motaung must step down. We have an organisational structure that we must respect.”
While he has since insisted that his comments were misunderstood, the fans have never forgotten and, when you look at the structure of the club, maybe the comments weren’t misunderstood.
The club’s sporting director is Kaizer Motaung Jnr, the football manager Bobby Motaung, the marketing director Jessica Motaung, the head of digital is Kemiso Motaung and the supporters relations manager Cecil Motaung. And not to forget: the executive chairman is 77-year-old Kaizer Motaung. All members of the same family.
Both clubs now face a crossroads where their next decisions will determine whether they will rise up to challenge their rivals or plunge further into the abyss.