Is Nasreddine Nabi feeling the heat as Kaizer Chiefs coach?
TOUGH JOB Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi faces mounting pressure amid poor results and criticism, but remains committed to the club's long-term process. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is not going anywhere. That’s at least according to the tactician and the club.
The cracks, however, are beginning to show and that’s not even referring to the poor results of the club.
From the start of Nabi’s tenure at the beginning of the season, he preached patience by saying his aim at the club was to change its fortunes in the long term.
Saying that meant poor results along the way should not be judged too harshly.
Nabi Faces Uncertain Future at Chiefs Amid Poor Results and Heavy Criticism
Though Chiefs have played some enterprising football under Nabi, the results certainly have been poor.
Chiefs are currently ninth in the Betway Premiership, and unless they beat their much-fancied rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final in Durban on Saturday, their last piece of silverware will remain the league title in the 2014/2015 season.
With that in mind, it was quite revealing to hear Nabi’s response to heavy criticism as a journalist asked him over the weekend if he would be staying at Chiefs.
The question was posed to Nabi after his side lost 2-1 to Pirates in their league encounter, which was the first of two Soweto Derbies in the space of a week.
“Normally I wouldn’t answer this question, but today I will… Secondly, I don’t think you are the right man to decide if I’m staying or not, my role and why I am here; everyone knows this is a process, and in terms of process, we can’t be reacting or expect immediate results," Nabi told reporters.
“You are a professional journalist; you will have information about this club. This club plays for the title, this one plays for the Champions League, this one for whatever… I came here for the process; we said this in the first press conference: this is the transition season.
"If you are in a process, you don’t tell me why you stay here – two things: you are not professional, but I respect you; don’t provoke me because I’m not a young coach; I have big experience—I know what you’re asking; don’t provoke me.
Nabi continued on his counter, again saying it was not a professional question to ask.
“You have a bad result. Why do you stay here? This is not professionalto ask. Talk to me about tactics, about the football process. I’m not nervous. I respect you.”
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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