BIG BOOTS TO FILL
As I write this there is a lot of speculation about Stuart Baxter’s future as Kaizer Chiefs head coach. He still has a year left on his contract, but recent successes mean he is in high demand, with rumours of offers coming in for him from all four corners of the globe. At the moment one can only speculate as to the outcome of Baxter’s discussions with the chairman, Kaizer Motaung. While this has been a most satisfactory season for all at Naturena, there are always niggling issues that have to be dealt with before plans can be set in place for next season. Motaung, it appears obvious, would love Baxter to be central to those plans once again. Some fans might grumble that this Chiefs side has not won ‘excitingly’, but there is no denying their status as the best side in the land right now. But what if the lure of the dollar is too much; or the yen for a return to Japan too powerful; what if Baxter goes? Whispers from people close to the corridors of power at Naturena have suggested that the time is drawing near for Doctor Khumalo to ascend to the head coach job – if not immediately, then in the near future. Can the former dribbling wizard, transition into a coach who shows the same mental toughness, resolute determination and sufficient flexibility to accommodate contending views as Baxter has shown? A few years ago I would have thought this job too big for Doc. No more. He has acquired his qualifications, he has put in hours at Baxter’s side, and has developed a public confidence that was never there before. Khumalo is actually a shy person. He must have found it difficult to deal with the constant adoration and demands of fans when he was the country’s favourite player, and he hid behind his fame and let his boots do his talking. But as a coach, he has had to explain his thoughts, convince and encourage. It has taken years, but today Doc stands as a man confident enough to trade pre- and post-match chirps with Pitso Mosimane – his riposte to the Sundowns coach’s claim that he had seen the movie before of Chiefs collapsing was hilarious, wrly pointing out that it was a soapie and Chiefs had new characters. That came from a man who is striding forward with confidence. It’s a big, big job, but Doctor Khumalo might just have what it takes to sit in the Chiefs hotseat after all. Turn to page 10 for Zola Doda’s take on Khumalo’s future; then move on to page 30 to laugh along with Pitso Mosimane as he attempts to outdo Jose Mourinho with his mouth. I hope you enjoy this edition, and that it takes away some of the boredom off-season brings!