Three former Kaizer Chiefs stalwarts have welcomed the appointment of Stuart Baxter as head coach, even though they believe the post should have been given to a local coach. 

Kaizer Motaung ended speculation about who would replace Vladimir Vermezovic when he confirmed Baxter had signed a three-year contract yesterday. The former Bafana Bafana coach will begin his new job at Naturena in July.

Former Chiefs defender Lefa Gqosha tells KickOff.com that Baxter’s experience will help him settle at the club.

“I think management did their homework and saw he was the right man to coach Kaizer Chiefs. He is experienced and has knowledge of South African football. I also believes he knows the style of South African football.”

Despite giving the former Finland national team coach a warm welcome to Naturena, both Pollen Ndlanya and Isaac Kungwane feel the job should have gone to a local.

“Let’s not judge the man now; let’s give him a chance,” ‘Shakes’ says. “My only worry is that if he was such a good coach, why has he moved around so many teams around and so many countries?”

He adds: “I hope the club continues to give Doctor [Khumalo] and Ace Khuse a chance to work with the team. I also hope he will be given quality players that deserve to play for Chiefs and not players thrown to the club by agents.”

Ndlanya feels the time has come for a South African coach to be given a chance at Chiefs.

“Management know what they doing by bringing in Stuart Baxter, even though I believe a man like Ace Khuse deserves a chance,” he says. “I still believe we need to change our mentality and start believing in local coaches who understand our football, our style of play and our culture.

“Both Spain and Holland have done it and that’s why they are powerhouses in the world of football. We are one of the few countries that don’t have our own style of play; we always bring Brazilians, Spanish and English coaches and that confuses our players.”