Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral believes one of Fernando Da Cruz’s biggest tests in his first full season at the helm will be managing the expectations and mentality of the club’s players.
Da Cruz has officially taken charge of Amakhosi after a brief stint with the club in 2024 during Nasreddine Nabi’s tenure.
The French coach has enjoyed a full pre-season with the Glamour Boys as he prepares the team for the 2026/27 campaign, with Chiefs aiming to challenge for domestic honours and make a strong impression in continental competitions.
According to Ertugral, success at Chiefs will depend not only on tactical ability but also on understanding the unique pressures that come with coaching in South Africa.
He said Da Cruz must be prepared to handle the stress-related challenges that arise from the high expectations placed on players.
Ertugral added that during difficult periods, the Frenchman will need to make sound decisions that ease the burden on his squad, helping players remain confident rather than feeling overwhelmed by pressure.
“I’ve seen that they added a few, but not really big ones. You can never know what a team really needs until the coach has taken over. Look, no coach in the world has a magic stick,” Ertugral told iDiski Times’ senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo.
“It doesn’t matter who that is. What is important is for a coach to quickly understand what it’s all about to work with South African players.
“It’s all about dealing with the expectations. His challenge will also be how much he can handle those stress-related issues when the crisis is coming up.
“Is he going to help the team in the moment when things are not going very well? When things are good, everything is rosy. So the point is, when you have one draw and two losses in a row, the next one you need to win.
“And your decision sometimes is how much you are in yourself to make healthy decisions. Let’s see how it goes. It’s Kaizer Chiefs.”
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