Newly-appointed Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard wanted to join Amakhosi as a player when he returned from Europe, but is honoured to now finally work at Naturena as a coach.

The former Bafana Bafana international signed a three-year deal with Chiefs on Monday to form a part of Gavin Hunt’s backroom staff along with Arthur Zwane.

According to Sheppard, he wanted to join Chiefs in 2006 when he returned from Europe but the Soweto giants couldn’t accommodate him at the time. He then ended up signing with Mamelodi Sundowns to form part of Gordon Igesund’s league-winning team.

However, he will now get the chance to make an impact at Naturena as a coach which he views as a huge opportunity.

“In 2006 when I came back from Europe, I wanted to sign for Kaizer Chiefs. Unfortunately, at the time, they didn’t have a spot for me that’s why I went to join another club [Sundowns],” Sheppard said on SA FM.

“But I’m here now, it’s a huge opportunity for me as a coach,” he said.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be here. It’s a chance to learn and grow and we know the challenges; a big club like Chiefs deserves and wants to win trophies and hopefully, we can contribute towards that,” continued Sheppard.

“I’m so pleased to be part of this huge institution and I’m grateful to the chairman for making it possible. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done now and we must put our heads down and do the hard work,” said the former Bafana Bafana midfielder.

The 41-year-old coach also spoke of his admiration for Hunt.

“Gavin Hunt gave me my debut at Seven Stars in 1998. He also brought me to Wits when I was 36 and we won the league and MTN8. He also gave me the opportunity to join as an assistant and we won the Telkom Knockout Cup. He advised me to take up an U17 coaching role,” added Sheppard.