The Glamour Boys have endured a turbulent decade marked by inconsistency, declining standards and repeated changes in leadership.
Since winning the league title in 2015, Amakhosi have often battled just to remain competitive, with qualification for continental football becoming a regular challenge. Their struggles reached a low point over the past two seasons when they failed to finish inside the top eight.
Although Chiefs finally ended a 10-year trophy drought by lifting the Nedbank Cup last season — a victory that secured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup — questions around their long-term progress remain. While their league position has improved this season, inconsistency continues to frustrate supporters, particularly after dropping points against teams in the lower half of the table.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach insisted the club’s problems are not rooted in coaching but rather in systemic shortcomings that have gone unresolved for years.
“The issues that Chiefs are facing are systemic, not technical,” Khan said, as quoted by Afrik-Foot.
“It wouldn’t matter if you brought Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho tomorrow. There are underlying issues that must be fixed first.”
Khan believes the absence of a clear football identity and a lack of elite-quality players have contributed significantly to the club’s decline. He argued that Chiefs have drifted away from the culture that once defined them as one of Africa’s most feared institutions.
“If you look back, Chiefs always had superstars. Who is the superstar at Chiefs right now? That quality that defined the club is no longer there,” he said.
The former coach also pointed to instability in the dugout as another major factor, revealing that Chiefs have employed 10 different coaches since their last league triumph.
“Changing coaches without fixing the structure means you are only addressing symptoms, not causes,” Khan added.
Chiefs finished the calendar year in fourth place with 24 points from 13 matches, four behind leaders Orlando Pirates, while their Confederation Cup campaign has seen them register a loss and a draw against Egyptian sides Al Masry and Zamalek.
Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung has reaffirmed the club's ambition to push deeper into the CAF Confederation Cup as the group-stage campaign resumes in the new year.
Kaizer Chiefs are expected to sit out the January transfer window despite it being a period traditionally used by clubs to reinforce their squads.
Kaizer Chiefs right-back Thabiso Monyane has opened up on his close bond with Burnley striker Lyle Foster, revealing why he once lived with the Foster family and considers the forward his brother.
Kaizer Chiefs may be presented with a rare opportunity in the transfer market, and former PSL forward Phumlani Mkhize believes the club should not let it pass.
