Ex-Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes the club will struggle without Aden McCarthy

The young defender recently completed a move to Europe after enjoying an impressive campaign with Chiefs.

The defender was one of the team's standout performers and played a key role throughout the season, as they finished third in the table.

Chiefs have also parted ways with Ben Youssef and fellow co-coach Cedric Kaze, with both reportedly set for moves elsewhere in the PSL.

Ben Youssef believes Chiefs need stronger recruitment and greater stability if they are to challenge for the league title. For now, he does not see the club ending its long wait for Betway Premiership glory next season.

"No, they are not," Ben Youssef said on SNAWA when asked whether he believes Chiefs can win the league next season.

"I  told you that good recruitment is what will make them win the league. If they continue building in the right way for a minimum of three or four years, the team will be ready to compete.

"You need to keep the same players, continue with the same coach, maintain the same mentality, follow the same process and stick to the same playing model in order to keep building over three or four years.

"If you are constantly changing players, it will be difficult. We can see that with the situation involving Aden. His contract came to an end, and he left the team. Aden played more than 60 or 70 percent of the matches last season and was one of the team's best defenders.

"Now you have lost him and must find someone to fill his position.

"If you are building something, you have to keep your best players and continue strengthening the squad by bringing in additional quality players. That is how you eventually compete with and surpass the other teams."

Ben Youssef and Kaze have since been replaced by Fernando da Cruz, who was appointed as Chiefs head coach on Wednesday night.