Chiefs can get back to the top

Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in another period of transition. With head coach Nasreddine Nabi absent from the team according to the club's latest update last month, Amakhosi have been navigating the campaign under the guidance of assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Their recent Carling Knockout exit at the hands of Stellenbosch FC - decided via a penalty shootout this past weekend - only underlined the need for stability and direction. For Swedish coach Alan Melke, the situation at Naturena is one he has observed with keen interest. Melke has built a reputation for taking struggling sides and turning them into stable, competitive outfits - a skillset that resonates with Chiefs' current reality. His resume stretches from the grassroots of Sweden's Sixth Division to the elite stage of two FIFA World Cups. One of his links to the PSL comes through Ivan Bukenya, the Ugandan defender he once coached before the player went on to wear the Gold and Black of Amakhosi. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, Melke speaks highly of the technical quality of local players, although he believes there is room for improvement. He also reflects on his coaching philosophy, reveals why the Betway Premiership appeals to him, and what attracts him specifically to the Glamour Boys.

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Masebe Qina: Coach Alan, for those unfamiliar with your background, can you briefly share your coaching journey and some of the highlights that shaped you?

Melke Alan: I've been in football all my life. I started playing professionally before moving into coaching, beginning right at the bottom of the Swedish system - Sixth Division - and working my way up to the top leagues. Along the way, I've been involved internationally, including national-team projects and two World Cups. I've coached clubs fighting relegation and turned them into stable sides, and I've been an academy director helping develop young players who've gone on to succeed in Europe. Working with African players has been a big part of that journey - scouting, coaching and preparing them for the European game.

MQ: You've worn many hats - player, coach, agent, developer. How has that influenced the kind of coach you are today?

MA: It's given me a complete understanding of football. I know what players go through and what clubs need to be sustainable. Coaching isn't only about tactics; it's about people. You have to listen, observe and adapt to bring the best out of every player. When you build a team, you're building a family. These players spend more time with you than with their own families, so you must create a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated. That's how you build a winning team.

MQ: You've expressed interest in working in South Africa. What attracts you to coaching in the Betway Premiership?