Chiefs’ inconsistency this season has continued to frustrate supporters, with their Betway Premiership title ambitions taking a hit after successive draws against Chippa United and TS Galaxy in their final matches before the Africa Cup of Nations break. The results have intensified scrutiny on the club’s coaching structure, which has been in place since the departure of Cavin Johnson.

Setlhodi believes addressing the technical bench should be the club’s immediate priority.

“Exactly, that is my first department to fix — appointing a new coach. Those guys there, I doubt they know anything about football,” Setlhodi told Soccer Laduma.

The former shot-stopper also weighed in on the growing calls for Mosimane to be considered as a potential successor, insisting that the decorated coach would not accept the job without significant changes behind the scenes.

“When we talk about coaches, someone mentioned Pitso. I told them Pitso will come with conditions. He will want better players than the ones currently there. He knows exactly the kind of team he wants. So, it would be very tough for Pitso to come and coach Kaizer Chiefs with the current crop of players,” said Setlhodi.

Mosimane himself appeared to echo some of those sentiments this week when he discussed the challenges facing the Soweto giants during an interview on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

While stopping short of declaring interest in the job, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach stressed that restoring Chiefs to their former glory would require patience, strategic planning and serious investment.

“It’s a big institution; it’s a big club. You saw what happened when Kaizer Chiefs won the Nedbank Cup — the stadium was full,” said Mosimane.

“This thing has phases. It needs a plan. Arteta took time to get Arsenal right. You’ve got to believe, invest and recruit properly. Football is also about money — not only money — but recruitment is key.”

With pressure mounting and expectations unrelenting, according to Setlhodi, Chiefs’ next coaching decision could prove pivotal in shaping the club’s future.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson hits out at underperforming players