Da Cruz has a long-standing relationship with former Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi. The two previously worked together at AS FAR Rabat where Da Cruz served as Technical Director before Nabi guided the club to the Moroccan Botola Pro title in 2022-23.
When Nabi was appointed Chiefs head coach, Da Cruz was set to join as his assistant – but chose at the last minute to take up a role with the Moroccan Football Association instead.
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆!
French coach Fernando Da Cruz has agreed to become the new head coach of Kaizer Chiefs. ✍️
A two-year contract has been signed, with an option to extend for a further season.
The former Lille OSC and AS FAR boss will arrive with four members of his… pic.twitter.com/iW21e4k9zZ
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) June 1, 2026
Despite that departure, Chiefs have now turned to him as the man to lead the club in his own right.
At Chiefs, the task is straightforward. The club has not won the Betway Premiership since 2014-15 – an 11-year drought. Nasreddine Nabi was sacked in October 2025 before co-coaches Ben Youssef and Kaze guided the club to third place and 54 points before departing at season’s end.
Da Cruz becomes Chiefs’ 11th coach in 11 years.
Photo: Vincent Van Doornick/Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
