The two high-profile names have regularly been mentioned in connection with the Amakhosi hot seat, particularly as pressure grows on current co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef following a difficult run of results.

Chiefs have lost their last four Betway Premiership matches and were recently eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup, a slump that has seen the Soweto giants slip to sixth place in the standings.

Mosimane has previously stated that no formal approach has been made by the club, while McCarthy has openly spoken about his ambition to one day coach Chiefs.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on 947, Motaung Jr acknowledged the stature of both men but stressed that it would be inappropriate to discuss other coaches while the current technical team remains in place.

"You're mentioning two top individuals who've achieved tremendous things in their careers. It would be unfair of me to sit here and talk about coaches when we have coaches within the team," said Motaung Jr.

"We have our immediate mandate and responsibility to restore the pride and the hurt that's been happening to the nation and to the team.

"I can't sit here and talk about individuals. It's not professional. I don't think it's the right thing to do. I have a lot of respect for both of those gentlemen. It's always an honour to be associated with people like that."

Despite avoiding direct discussion about potential replacements, Motaung Jr made it clear that Chiefs' long-term ambitions include working with top-level coaches as part of the club's broader "2030 vision".

"Chiefs is a big team. We want the best coaches - the most experienced, the highest quality," he said.

"The continent is very important to us. So in terms of our strategy, continental football is a must. We want the calibre of players, personnel, analysts and coaches who can take us to that stage. We want to associate ourselves with the best of the best."

Bafana cause midweek shake-up in DStv Premiership schedule