Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has urged Amakhosi to resist making an emotional decision about Fernando Da Cruz’s future, insisting that Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates should not become the Frenchman’s final judgement.
With pressure mounting at Naturena, Da Cruz heads into one of South African football’s biggest fixtures knowing that a positive result could ease growing concerns about his leadership. However, successive draws in the Betway Premiership have raised questions about Chiefs’ progress under the French tactician.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ertugral believes the club must take a broader view when evaluating the coach’s performance.
Speaking to FARPost, the former Amakhosi mentor acknowledged the enormous expectations that come with managing Kaizer Chiefs but questioned the growing tendency to judge coaches on individual results rather than long-term development.
The Soweto Derby, he argued, carries enormous emotional significance, but its outcome should not determine the future of a coaching project.
Ertugral: One Derby Should Not Decide Da Cruz’s Fate
Having previously managed both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, Ertugral understands the intensity and expectations surrounding the Soweto Derby.
He believes a victory over Pirates could dramatically improve the atmosphere at Naturena, but warned that one result would not necessarily address the club’s deeper challenges.
According to Ertugral, Chiefs should be asking more important questions: Is the team improving? Are players adapting to the coach’s methods? Is a recognisable playing identity beginning to emerge?
These factors, he believes, should carry significant weight when the club assesses Da Cruz’s future.
The Turkish coach also cautioned against abandoning a long-term rebuilding process because of short-term disappointment.
For him, one defeat should not erase months of work, just as one victory should not automatically convince the club that everything is going according to plan.
Patience Is Important, But Results Must Follow
Although Ertugral is advocating patience, he is not suggesting that Da Cruz should receive unlimited time.
He recognises that managing a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature comes with enormous responsibility. Supporters expect competitive performances, consistent results and progress towards challenging for major honours.
That means Da Cruz must eventually translate his ideas into visible improvements on the pitch.
Chiefs cannot afford to remain stuck in a cycle of rebuilding without tangible progress.
Ertugral’s message is therefore clear: give the coach a fair opportunity to establish his football philosophy, but demand evidence that the project is moving in the right direction.
Should Kaizer Chiefs Sack Da Cruz If They Lose to Orlando Pirates?
The Soweto Derby could prove significant for Da Cruz, particularly given the pressure surrounding his position.
However, Ertugral believes the club would be making a mistake if it allowed the result of one afternoon to dictate a major decision about its technical leadership.
For Amakhosi, the bigger challenge is finding stability after several coaching changes in recent years.
Whether Da Cruz can deliver that stability remains to be seen. What is certain is that Chiefs need more than a derby victory to convince their supporters that the club is heading in the right direction.
Should Kaizer Chiefs give Fernando Da Cruz more time even if they lose to Orlando Pirates, or would another derby defeat make his position untenable?
