As Kaizer Chiefs navigated one of their darkest chapters, former mentor Muhsin Ertuğral hasn't held back against fellow ex-coaches Stuart Baxter and Ernst Middendorp. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
As the dust settled on the critiques of former coaches Stuart Baxter and Ernst Middendorp, Muhsin Ertuğral’s rallying cry shone a light on what really mattered at the beleaguered Kaizer Chiefs.
In a fervent response to those criticisms, Ertuğral — another former Chiefs head coach — took to social media to voice his concern for the club he revered. Drawing from his deep respect for the institution, Ertuğral urged caution to those he believed were undermining the club’s integrity during a particularly challenging time.
Ertuğral appealed to former coaches to unite behind a common purpose and help the club reclaim its formidable stature in South African football. He argued that what really mattered were loyalty, unity, and the unwavering support of the fanbase.
The remarks of the Turkish-born Ertuğral came at a moment when Chiefs were navigating a rough patch, having faced disappointing results that had stoked the frustration of their loyal supporters. With emotions running high, Ertuğral spoke openly about the pain the club was then enduring and the fragility of confidence that permeated the squad.
“Great clubs are not monsters! They are mirrors,” he said, emphasising that the criticism levied by former coaches should not have obscured the bigger picture then unfolding at the club.
His assertion stressed a vital point: a club’s identity and character were closely connected to its performances and collective unity, especially during challenging times.
Touching upon the significance of Chiefs to millions, Ertuğral remarked: “It’s not just a football team. For millions, it represents memories, pride and identity.”
This emotional connection resonated with many fans who cherished memories of their beloved club. Ertuğral encouraged the Kaizer Chiefs community to support the club in its time of need, stating that loyalty and passion from fans were historically a source of strength.
He called for unity rather than division, asserting, “I don’t think you can rebuild through anger, but through unity, patience and belief — and obviously with the right criticism.”
At the crux of Ertuğral’s message was a reminder that the club required a solid internal structure and humility to overcome the challenges it faced. The former mentor called for a clear playing model and alignment between recruitment and the first-team strategy, acknowledging that those aspects remained pivotal for the club’s long-term success.
As he concluded his impassioned plea, Ertuğral reinforced the urgent need for Kaizer Chiefs to focus on the future and not allow external noise from past coaches to cloud their way forward.
“The club must remain the story,” he urged. “Now, more than ever, it needs supporters to stand behind the badge, even when the road is very difficult.”
As the coaching critiques faded, the message was clear: Kaizer Chiefs had to unite behind a common purpose to reclaim their formidable stature in South African football.