Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has some stinging words for his former club.
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Just hours after Ernst Middendorp shared his thoughts on why Kaizer Chiefs are underachieving in a hard-hitting article on social media, another former Amakhosi head coach, Stuart Baxter, dropped a bombshell with a blunt critique of the club’s management.
Baxter has laid bare his frustrations with what he labels a “broken” management structure, highlighting how these issues directly impact the club’s success and fan perception.
Baxter’s allegations point to a fractured relationship with the club’s management, specifically involving Jessica Motaung, Bobby Motaung, and Kaizer Motaung Jr. Emphasising trust and respect here can help the audience understand the importance of a healthy relationship for success.
“I came in the second time, and it was very unclear. I was getting told which players to buy, who to select, and even how to set up tactically. It was as if I was expected to follow a script written by others.
“That atmosphere was entirely different from the first time, and it made it impossible to build a winning culture,” Baxter said in an interview with Farpost, illustrating how management interference hampers team success.
Baxter reflected on his prominent first tenure from 2012 to 2015, which has become a reference point for the club’s current struggles, highlighting how clear management roles contributed to a successful era marked by two league titles and cup wins.
In stark contrast, his second term, from June 2021 to April 2022, unfolded without the glory of silverware and was marred by internal discord. Baxter has noted that this shift lays bare the club’s evolution and the challenges inherent in sustaining success.
“The second time, roles were blurred, egos were involved, and it’s likely that has been the same story since,” said Baxter, emphasising that proper structure is key to success.
Baxter raised a compelling argument about the opportunities Chiefs missed. He suggests that the team might have reached greater heights if coaches like Gavin Hunt, Ernst Middendorp, or even himself during his second tenure had been permitted the freedom to implement their vision without external pressure.
“Clarity is essential for the Chiefs,” Baxter emphasised. “When you hire a coach, the expectation should be to let them fulfil their role. Continuous interference — whether it’s imposing players, making tactical suggestions, or second-guessing their strategies — only complicates matters.
“I firmly believe that had we been given the same level of time and independence that is allowed now, the results would have been markedly different,” he asserted.