Kaizer Chiefs' search for a new coach may not be as straightforward as previous years, as new SAFA coaching standards from next season could rule out some of the reported candidates.
In December last year, SAFA NEC approved the implementation of coaching standards, which are set to be in effect from the 2024/2025 season.
From next season, South African head coaches would be required to have a CAF A License and assistant coaches at least a CAF B License to sit on the bench.
READ | SAFA outline trophy mandate for Chiefs coach
What could change the landscape of the calibre of coaches coming to the country is the regulation that a foreign coach must have a CAF A License or a UEFA Pro License, to sit on the bench and crucially, the foreign coach must have won a trophy in the last seven years.
Unless Chiefs manage to get South African coach Pitso Mosimane, whose deal with Abha will run down at the end of the season, Kickoff has been led to believe that Amakhosi are not expected to hire a South African coach.
A number of foreign coaches have been linked with the Glamour Boys' hot seat, after Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr admitted that interim coach Cavin Johnson will not continue for next season.
Although most foreign coaches linked with Amakhosi have the required qualifications, the UEFA Pro License, some of the reported coaches on the club's radar may be hindered by their lack of trophy success in the last seven years.
Raul Caneda, a Spanish coach famous for being a close associate of Pep Guardiola, linked with Chiefs, has an impressive track record of transforming teams and holds a UEFA Pro License but has not won a trophy in the last seven years. In fact he has never won an official trophy in his career.
The likes of Rui Vitoria, who has notably coached the Egyptian national team and Benfica, Alexandre Santos, who is currently attached at Pedro de Luanda and Florent Ibenge, who is at Al Hilal in Sudan, all tick the boxes of the SAFA coaching standards which will kick in from 1 August.
The other Chiefs-linked coach Miguel Gamondi, currently with Young Africans, should also tick the qualification box, as a CAF A License is required to be on the bench for CAF Champions League matches.
However, Gamondi has not won a trophy in the last seven years, although Yanga are favourites to win this season's Tanzanian Premier League.
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