Kosta Papic began his first day at work as the new coach of Kaizer Chiefs with an early morning meeting with club Chairman Kaizer Motaung, thereafter the Serbian coach proceeded to the training ground where he met and greeted his new charges as they arrived for their first day of work under the new coach.

Prior to the resumption of training, Papic addressed the team and made it clear that the team was to work hard on the training ground and when away from it they would be friends.

During his short but highly energetic and emotive talk to his new team, Papic asked for a Chiefs jersey and once he was handed one he unfurled it and said “not one of you sitting here will wear this jersey if you don’t deserve it. To wear this jersey you must fight for it and you must want to get it put on your back. Not me, not the chairman, and not Bobby can make you want to wear it - it's up to you to do what you think is necessary to get to represent this team.”

With that he directed the team onto the field and after a short huddle The Amakhosi began a new chapter, with life under Kosta Papic.

Kaizerchiefs.com were fortunate enough to be there and managed to sneak in a few questions to Kosta Papic.

KC.COM: Firstly welcome to Kaizer Chiefs, your appointment took many people by surprise including us at KaizerChiefs.com?




KP: To tell you the truth it really did not come as surprise to me, I have been keeping myself up to date with what has been happening at the club and I have also come to a number of matches recently. So when Bobby Motaung called me and said he wanted to have a meeting with me, there was really no second-guessing what he wanted to see me about. For me to have this opportunity to be put at the helm of a team with such a proud and successful history and tradition is a real honour and I need to make the most of the chance afforded to me.

KC.COM: You have been handed a three month contract, what do you hope to achieve in that period over the seven remaining matches for the season?


KP: For me I am in a kind of precarious position here. Throughout my career I have never ever come into a team at the midway stage of a season - so in addition to being the new coach I am in new territory. It will take me a few days to adjust to my new surroundings, but I have obviously been planning what I hope to achieve over the next couple of games.

I have to be honest and say that there is not much to play for this season, so we will begin by training hard and working towards ending with the maximum number of points. Whatever we achieve over the next couple of weeks will help us build towards next season, planning for next season is something I would hope to be a part of.

Most importantly I would like to use these couple of matches to demonstrate that I can be part of the long-term coaching structure at the club.

KC.COM: What of the team that you have inherited, are you happy with the kind of players at your disposal?


KP: There are a number of players like Scara Ngobese, David Obua, Siyabonga Nkosi and the list goes on that I have always admired and wanted to have them in my team. Now my wish has come true and I am fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to work with such players. I feel that this team has many talented players and should they work together as a team then we can go far together.

KC.COM: During your speech to the players and as they were arriving you hugged each guy and during the talk you emphasized team unity and friendship, are these important ingredients for a team to be successful?


KP: I made it clear to the guys that outside of training I am their friend. There is no reason for me not to have a friendship and strong bond with my players, if the coach extends his hand first then the players will put out theirs.

As a coach I need to know that I have the support and understanding of my players and they need to know that I am not a schoolteacher but a friend who they can talk to.

I believe that there are times for a coach to be formal with his team, for the most part we need to be able to be open and try as best as we can to understand each other, because we will be spending most of our time together.

KC.COM: Being a former Orlando Pirates coach I am sure you know a lot about the Chiefs fans, and the fact that they are very passionate about their team and their love for the club knows no bounds. What is your message to them?


KP: Simple, firstly be patient I am not a magician and I cannot change everything over night I am a human being and I need some time. Like I said before I have never assumed responsibility of a team midway through a season.

So I am asking for them to give me some time to get the carriages on the track, and soon enough we will be moving at high speed. Keep on supporting the team having you behind us will help speed up the process.

KC.COM: It all starts for you this weekend against Bloemfontein Celtic, is that the kind of induction you were hoping for to kick start your tenure as Chiefs coach?


KP: Bloemfontein Celtic are always a tough team to play against whether it is at home or away, sooner or later I would be facing the bigger teams or tougher teams so why not now. It will be a good measuring stick for me to get to analytically analyze the progress we have made over the past couple of days.