Ertugral questions Kaizer Chiefs direction, standards

South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) veteran coach Muhsin Ertugral has plunged deep into the growing debate on the never-ending woes of Kaizer Chiefs, a club once synonymous with success in Africa.

With the Soweto giants battling a crisis of identity and consistency amid indifferent results in the PSL and CAF inter-club competitions, the Turkish mentor did not mince words on what had gone wrong at AmaKhosi.

“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 (𝐃𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐠)”

Muhsin Ertugral takes us through his life, journey in football, as well as how he first joined Kaizer Chiefs.

Watch the full episode on YouTube#SuperSportUnplugged pic.twitter.com/fgOcd6NCol

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 28, 2025

Writing on his Facebook page, Ertugral called for a deeper analysis of the real issues affecting the Soweto giants in the PSL.

“As someone who had the privilege to lead Kaizer Chiefs twice and did our part in the history books, I understand the emotional weight that comes with the badge,” the coach wrote.

“Results can hurt. Eliminations hurt. Expectations at this club are normal, and they should be, the history and the big fan base expects it.”

Ertugral laments over Chiefs standards

The former Orlando Pirates’ mentor suggested that the template of AmaKhosi’s operating standards on and off the pitch has been tampered with.

“But before all point fingers at individuals, there are bigger questions for me to be asked. What is the football direction of the club?’” he added.

“There was a time when Kaizer Chiefs were not following standards in South African football. Chiefs were the standard. This club was trendsetter in professionalism, in playing identity and in leadership.

“I remember the time when Chiefs moved; the league adjusted. Great clubs are not built on reactions. They are built on identity, continuity and clarity.”

Ertugral against blame-game on Chiefs coaches

The man, whose last coaching job in South Africa was with Cape Town City FC in 2025, added that the solution lies beyond merely chopping and changing coaches. The PSL side has hired and fired nine coaches in the last eight seasons.

“A coach alone does not create stability, the structure does. Recruitment philosophy does. Performance does. Kaizer Chiefs is too big for short-term solutions.

“This club deserves a clearly defined football model, courage in decisions, and leadership that protects long-term vision over short-term comfort. Accountability is important. But it must be systemically, not personal,” Ertugral explained.

His comments come in the aftermath of Chiefs exit from the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage following an away 2-1 loss to Zamalek SC in Egypt over the weekend.

The defeat saw AmaKhosi finishing in third place of Group D with 10 points, one point behind Zamalek. Al Masry, too, collected 10 points but joined Zamalek in the Confederation Cup quarter final stage due to a superior goal-aggregate.