How Khune’s coaching transition will work after ‘retiring at Chiefs’
Earlier this year, Chiefs veteran Itumeleng Khune said he had no immediate plans to retire, while even hinting at the possibility that he could continue playing until he was around 40 years old. Yet, as it’s turned out, the Chiefs legend – who turned 36 recently – has just been handed a new contract that […]
Earlier this year, Chiefs veteran Itumeleng Khune said he had no immediate plans to retire, while even hinting at the possibility that he could continue playing until he was around 40 years old.
Yet, as it’s turned out, the Chiefs legend – who turned 36 recently – has just been handed a new contract that will see him play for Amakhosi for one final season.
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Chiefs announced last week that Khune will be transitioning into a new coaching and ambassadorial role, while his agent Thato Matuka has now explained how this will play out.
“It was agreed by two parties and he is now going to retire at Chiefs,” Matuka told Sowetan Live.
“This is his last season at Chiefs and then he is going to do his goalkeeper coaching badges and the club was very clear in terms of the role.
“They did highlight that he will play the club ambassador role and also do some goalkeeping courses in preparation for life after football. Both parties are happy we are very clear and we are on the same page.
“He was not forced to retire, not at all. We sat down obviously with the team and its representative. We looked at the current circumstances. We looked at his future and it was the best decision to make.
“He needs to get his coaching badge. This is about the three-year project, he can’t become a senior coach overnight. We have to respect the current coaches that are there and he will definitely learn from them.”
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THE CLUB RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ABOUT KHUNE
Khune, who spent five years in the Chiefs development structures before being promoted to the senior team in 2004/05 season, will be in the Gold & Black as a member of the Chiefs first team for a 20th season – which is a new record for Chiefs. He made his debut in August 2007 against Jomo Cosmos, at the age of 20.
While Khune will be involved in training and preparations for matches as a player, he will also use this year to broaden his technical acumen, as he transitions into a new coaching and ambassadorial role working with the marketing division at the Club.
The Ventersdorp-born goalkeeper holds the record for featuring in the- most number of successive seasons as a Kaizer Chiefs player in the PSL era (16) since his introduction in 2007, and will boost his coaching aspirations working under the returning Rainer Dinkelacker, as well as coaches Aubrey Mathibe and Rory Minnaar in the goalkeeping department.
“It is remarkable that Itu, at the age of 36, has been with Chiefs for over 20 years. It speaks to his love for the game, dedication, hard work and commitment because very few achieve this feat. We hope that he gives it his all in this final season and shares his valuable experience with the younger players in the team,” says Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr.
In the season just ended, Khune featured 13 times for Amakhosi, taking his total number of appearances to 423 in 19 seasons.
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