KAIZER Chiefs have retained legends Doctor Khumalo and Donald Khuse to assist new coach Stuart Baxter in their quest to return to the glory days of old. Also on board to work with the former Bafana Bafana coach is Arthur Zwane and German goalkeeping expert Reiner Dinkelacker.
The appointments were confirmed by Chiefs' chairman Kaizer Motaung at the club's end of season awards on Friday night.
Khumalo and company were jointly in charge of the technical staff - with six Absa Premiership matches and Nedbank Cup (quarterfinals) to go - following the dismissal of their controversial Serbian coach Vladimir Vermezovic.
"We have moved hastily to stabilise the technical department by acquiring the services of Baxter who will be assisted by the unchanged support structure of Doctor Khumalo, Donald Khuse, Reiner Dinkelacker and Arthur Zwane," Motaung said.
"We are also looking into reinforcing our team, something that is already under way, following the acquisition of the experienced Siboniso Gaxa.
"We shall work tirelessly to redeem ourselves despite the known challenges surrounding the movement of players in the off season while reforming our squad."
Motaung attributed Chiefs' failure to win a single trophy to the "cold war" that existed between Vermezovic and some of the players to the change in captaincy.
"Admittedly, our 2011-12 race for the Premiership title was hampered by unsavoury escapades that played themselves off-the-field in most instances," he said.
"From changing our captaincy to witnessing a debilitating decline in performance as a result of change-room shenanigans, our course derailed and landed us in an unenviable position of fighting to remain in the top eight bracket.
"To rub salt into the wounds we have had to cushion a host of relational breakdowns between the head of the technical team and some players.
"In the process, some players were openly rattled by the growing instability that resulted in a subtle expression of discontent."
Motaung said the plans to turn Chiefs into a well-oiled machine was in progress. Supporters can now brace themselves for an exciting season ahead.
"Our management machinery is hard at work to lay the ground and refuel our vessel as the 2012-13 football season beckons."
On the booing of some players, Motaung said: "I still abhor the booing and missile throwing at a time when our team needed our supporters to rally behind their efforts.
lChiefs will be offering one-year contract extensions to veteran Tinashe Nengomasha and Arthur Bartman when they return for pre-season training next month.
Club manager Bobby Motaung says there are plans for both players to stay with Chiefs for the next campaign as the club goes through a rebuilding process and begins life under its new coach.
Bartman, the oldest player in the PSL at the age of 40, will be asked to stay - even though Chiefs have bought a new back-up goalkeeper from AmaZulu, Nhlanhla Khuzwayo.
- Additional reporting by Mark Gleeson
Legends rally around the Kaizer Chiefs flag
KAIZER Chiefs have retained legends Doctor Khumalo and Donald Khuse to assist new coach Stuart Baxter in their quest to return to the glory days of old. Also on board to work with the former Bafana Bafana coach is Arthur Zwane and German goalkeeping expert Reiner Dinkelacker.
The appointments were confirmed by Chiefs' chairman Kaizer Motaung at the club's end of season awards on Friday night.
Khumalo and company were jointly in charge of the technical staff - with six Absa Premiership matches and Nedbank Cup (quarterfinals) to go - following the dismissal of their controversial Serbian coach Vladimir Vermezovic.
"We have moved hastily to stabilise the technical department by acquiring the services of Baxter who will be assisted by the unchanged support structure of Doctor Khumalo, Donald Khuse, Reiner Dinkelacker and Arthur Zwane," Motaung said.
"We are also looking into reinforcing our team, something that is already under way, following the acquisition of the experienced Siboniso Gaxa.
"We shall work tirelessly to redeem ourselves despite the known challenges surrounding the movement of players in the off season while reforming our squad."
Motaung attributed Chiefs' failure to win a single trophy to the "cold war" that existed between Vermezovic and some of the players to the change in captaincy.
"Admittedly, our 2011-12 race for the Premiership title was hampered by unsavoury escapades that played themselves off-the-field in most instances," he said.
"From changing our captaincy to witnessing a debilitating decline in performance as a result of change-room shenanigans, our course derailed and landed us in an unenviable position of fighting to remain in the top eight bracket.
"To rub salt into the wounds we have had to cushion a host of relational breakdowns between the head of the technical team and some players.
"In the process, some players were openly rattled by the growing instability that resulted in a subtle expression of discontent."
Motaung said the plans to turn Chiefs into a well-oiled machine was in progress. Supporters can now brace themselves for an exciting season ahead.
"Our management machinery is hard at work to lay the ground and refuel our vessel as the 2012-13 football season beckons."
On the booing of some players, Motaung said: "I still abhor the booing and missile throwing at a time when our team needed our supporters to rally behind their efforts.
lChiefs will be offering one-year contract extensions to veteran Tinashe Nengomasha and Arthur Bartman when they return for pre-season training next month.
Club manager Bobby Motaung says there are plans for both players to stay with Chiefs for the next campaign as the club goes through a rebuilding process and begins life under its new coach.
Bartman, the oldest player in the PSL at the age of 40, will be asked to stay - even though Chiefs have bought a new back-up goalkeeper from AmaZulu, Nhlanhla Khuzwayo.
- Additional reporting by Mark Gleeson
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