The wait is officially over for the Amakhosi faithful. French tactician Fernando Da Cruz is completing his final duties as Technical Director for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and will officially assume control of Kaizer Chiefs on 1 July 2026.
Having signed a two-year contract with a one-year extension option, the 54-year-old UEFA Pro Licence holder is landing at Naturena with an uncompromising football philosophy and a hand-picked, elite technical support structure designed to return the Betway Premiership giants to their glory days.
Elite Pedigree and Global Validation
This appointment marks a triumphant return to South Africa for Da Cruz, who briefly served as an assistant coach at Chiefs during the 2024 pre-season under Nasreddine Nabi. Since then, his stock has soared dramatically on the continent, punctuated by steering Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR to a Botola League title and managing structural development for the FRMF.
Crucially, Da Cruz brings an impeccable youth-development background from three separate spells at French Ligue 1 heavyweights Lille OSC, where he worked alongside Marcelo Bielsa and was instrumental in polishing global icons like Eden Hazard and Victor Osimhen.
The New-Look Kaizer Chiefs Technical Team
To facilitate an immediate culture shift, Da Cruz demanded absolute control over his backroom staff. The club has finalized a completely restructured department following the departures of interim co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, alongside goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi.
| Name | Role | Background / Key Qualifications | Notable Protegés / Links |
| Fernando Da Cruz | Head Coach | UEFA Pro Licence, Former Lille OSC & AS FAR | Eden Hazard, Victor Osimhen |
| Mahmoud Abbas | 1st Assistant Coach | Extensive continental tactical experience | — |
| Olivier Sorin | Goalkeeper Coach | UEFA Goalkeeper A Licence, Stade Rennais | Édouard Mendy, Steve Mandanda |
| Julien Le Heran | High-Performance Scientist | Expert Sports Science & Physical Trainer | — |
| Dillon Sheppard | 2nd Assistant Coach | CAF A Licence (Retained as key internal link) | Chiefs Reserve Pipeline |
Sheppard’s retention serves as a vital bridge to Vela Khumalo’s reserve ranks, ensuring the record-breaking academy structures align neatly with the senior squad’s long-term tactical trajectory. With baseline physical preparations wrapped up, Da Cruz will evaluate the squad locally this week before the Glamour Boys jet off for an intensive European pre-season camp.
