When Komphela was appointed as Chiefs coach in 2015 after a convincing stint at Maritzburg United in the previous campaign, he became the first local coach to get the job at Chiefs on a permanent basis since Trott Moloto in 1994.
The likes of Wellington Manyathi in 1997 and Jacob Sephoa in 1999, Doctor Khumalo and Donald “Ace” Khuse in 2002 and 2003, were all appointed as interim coaches. Some of these interims were appointed in the middle of the season with the results not forthcoming as the club were seeking for damage control.
The former junior international coach stepped down with immediate effect after Chiefs lost 2-0 to Free State Stars yesterday in the Nedbank Cup semi-finalz at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, in what will be the third successive season Amakhosi have gone without a trophy.
“I think one, from the results point of view, you would say that (I didn’t represent well to local coaches at Chiefs),” said Komphela
“But again, in terms of what the plan was, except the results, I think I need to be humble...I don’t want to come out as arrogant, maybe the future will testify.
“I strongly believe, from the results point of view, winning trophies, it’s very difficult to win trophies when you’re forming a generation.
“But that generation, when it performs, you look back and say, ‘no,no, it looks nice’, but I’m familiar with the spaces.
“In terms of the plan, I can confidently say, without any arrogance, that no, no, I think I’ve done what was required.
“But in terms of results, on top of the box, I think can say, no, no, we didn’t achieve’.”
Komphela’s parting shots left many sad in their faces at the press conference at Moses Mabhida Stadium, and the former Free State Stars coach has wished the club all the best for the future and feels he left the club with workable foundation for the new coach to work on.
“As I leave Kaizer Chiefs, there’s framework, there’s something to work from,” he added.
“As I said, this team is at the level where it has to perform. But unfortunately performance in football is accompanied by results and at Chiefs by (winning) trophies, that’s that.
“But I’m happy with integrity, responsibility, the work that I put in. Since my first day at Chiefs, I’ve never been late by second; I’ve always been the first one in (to arrive) and last one out (to leave), but those are things that you employed at, its part of the responsibility.
“And I behaved and carried myself in a manner that any other top coach would carried himself; with respect to administration; respect to players; and respect to our supporters.
“And even now as I leave, they’ve my respect and I can only wish Kaizer Chiefs for the best.”
At this stage, Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung gave little on who will be coach on the interim basis in the last three league matches but all will be revealed in due course.