Giovanni Solinas is seen here being welcomed to the Club by Kaizer Chiefs boss; Kaizer Motaung. Picture: Kaizer Chiefs Facebook.
Amakhosi finally affirms and ended their long hunt for the mentor. The Phefeni glamour boys have finally made their suitable choice and announced former Free State Stars coach Giovanni Solinas, as their new head coach in their preparation of the 2018/19 season to commence in August.
Since the departure of the Kroonstad born tactician Steve Komphela two months ago, Chiefs was coachless, so the 50 years old Italian mentor took over the coaching gig at the Naturena village. The Malawian international and former Chiefs defender Patrick Mabedi was the acting coach.
Solinas’s debut match at Chiefs will be a pre-season friendly in the Shell Helix Cup against the current reigning PSL champions, Chloorkop based Mamelodi Sundowns at Soccer city; FNB Stadium on 21 July 2018.
Solinas had mentored Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia and MC Oran in Algeria.
The Italian had two spells at the Free State Stars between 2015 and 2017, now he reverted back in the most hot and toughest job in the PSL.
The Soweto based club opted Twitter and a live posting on their Facebook page to declare and present the Italian born mentor as their head coach. Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung was standing next to Solinas as he made the announcement.
This is the moment we have all been waiting for in the Kaizer Chiefs family. It gives me great pleasure at this moment in time for me to welcome our new coach in the name of Giovanni Solinas.
Solinas was also seen with his ‘two fingers up, peace sign’ emblem and their slogan ‘Amakhosi for Life’. It remains to be seen if he will deliver and bring back the long awaited glory to Naturena.
He told the club’s website about his excitement in joining Amakhosi.
It’s a big opportunity as Kaizer Chiefs are a big club, not only in South Africa but also on the African continent. Coaching a club of this magnitude comes with a big responsibility. I will work hard day and night to make the Kaizer Chiefs Family and the supporters happy.
Kaizer Chiefs finished 3rd in the local 2017/2018 ABSA Premiership league, and have gone the past three seasons without lifting any major trophy.