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Following the appointment of Fernando Da Cruz as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, former striker Pollen Ndlanya has offered an insight into French coaches mind-set having played under two at the club.
Da Cruz has signed a two-year deal with Amakhosi with an option to renew for a further year. He replaces the duo of Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who led Chiefs to a third-place finish in the league last season, the side’s best finish since 2020.
Ndlanya who played under Phillip Troussier and Paul Dolezar in the 90s told to IDiski Times senior Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 261 of the newspaper that French men can be misconstrued to be racist when they just demand more from their players.
“Look, French coaches can be arrogant and sometimes because of that we tend to think they are racist,” Ndlanya told IDiski Times.
“But no, they are just driven; they always want you to give 120%. You have to put in the effort as a player. Troussier was a very disciplined coach who wanted to win at all costs, and he always encouraged us that you must give 120% at training.”
“You could never hide yourself from Philippe Troussier. So, if this new coach is anything like the other French coaches, the players must be prepared to work hard and know that he will be big on discipline.”
‘My advice to Chiefs players’
The former Bafana Bafana forward also advised players to not take things personally when dealing with Da Cruz.
“After training and after the game, you’d be surprised and think, is this the same man who was swearing at me because he will treat you like a good friend,” added the 56-year-old.
“So, my advice to the players would be to not take it personally but understand that the man just wants to excel and he will push you to it, even if it means him using some unprintable words.”
You can read Ndlanya’s full comments on the new Chiefs coach in edition 261 when you subscribe to IDiski Times WhatsApp media number for FREE.