KAIZER Chiefs co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Yousef.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Kaizer Chiefs have severed ties with co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.
Both coaches’ contracts expired at the end of the past season, with Chiefs opting not to pursue any renewals.
"We want to extend our gratitude to the coaches for their dedication and contribution, and wish them all the best in their future," said a Kaizer Chiefs statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The pair could feel aggrieved, though, as they guided Amakhosi to a third-place finish — the club’s best finish in six years — and qualification for next season's CAF Confederation Cup.
It was a major improvement from their ninth-place finish in 2024/25 and their best performance since 2019/20.
However, the Naturena-based side were still guilty of inconsistent performances, notably holding both Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates and CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns to stalemates, but losing to Siwele in between.
Equally, the 1-0 loss to struggling Chippa United on the last day of the season epitomised how far Chiefs are from league leaders Pirates and Sundowns.
Kaze, though, was still hoping after the defeat at the Moses Mabhida Stadium that their overall record throughout the season would be enough to keep the duo in the hot seat at Chiefs.
“I’m hoping so; I’m hoping that we have made it difficult (for the board) with the results this season.
“It’s going to be a discussion between two parties that have lived together well, and I’m pretty sure you will get the information.”
Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jnr was still undecided about the duo's future over the weekend.
“Well, I think now, I mean, everyone can see the vast defensive shape that we’ve had right now and how we’ve had one of our best sort of goal differences in many years,” Motaung Jr told SuperSport TV.
“Everyone behind the scenes has worked very hard and the co-coaches themselves must take a lot of credit.
“The players must take a lot of credit. Our recruitment department must take a lot of credit because I think everything is definitely a culmination of work and planning."