If events were left in the hands of Mochudi Center Chiefs’ fans, Dragojlo Stanojlovic would have been fired long before the festive season.
While Chiefs managed to recruit a number of high-profile players in the offseason, Magosi have not been convincing in their display.
Unlike in the past when they dominated the play on the field, especially against small sides, they have struggled this season.
The decision to let go of veteran defenders Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Amos Godirwang and Kago Nfila due to alleged indiscipline did not go down well and accusing fingers pointed at Drago.
The Serbian has failed to win the hearts of the hard-to-please Chiefs’ fans. Chiefs’ management put up a brave face in November claiming that Drago is the best thing to have happened to Magosi and they would give the Serbian all the necessary support.
In protest, Chiefs’ fans decided to boycott their CAF Champions League match against Dynamos last weekend. The poor attendance made people take notice and Chiefs’ management were left embarrassed as their side is known for attracting a huge following.
The last straw for Chiefs’ officials came on Wednesday night when Chiefs were humbled 2-1 by Nico United in a be-Mobile Premier League match played at Selebi-Phikwe Stadium.
The loss denied Chiefs a chance to stay in touch with the league pacesetters Township Rollers and BDF XI.
An emergency meeting was held on Thursday morning and a decision was taken to relieve the Serbian of his contract and to appoint assistant coach Odirile Matlhaku to hold the fort in the interim until a suitable replacement was found.
Matlhaku was calling the shots last night when Magosi hosted Notwane in a Premier League clash at the National Stadium.
When the news filtered through on Thursday afternoon that Chiefs had fired Drago, many supporters said that it was good riddance.
Chiefs’ publicity officer, Clifford Mogomotsi, confirmed that they had parted ways with Drago after realising that he was not the right man to steer their ship forward.
“Our supporters have been complaining for a long time that they are not happy with the way the team plays. They argued that we’ve lost the flair we’re known for and while we tried to protect the coach, we came to a situation where we felt that enough is enough. The bad thing is that we lost a lot of revenue because the supporters are no longer coming to the games,” said Mogomotsi.
Chiefs’ mouthpiece said that they had erred in appointing Drago because he never possessed the leadership they expected.
He pointed out that they had learnt from the mistakes they made in Drago’s case.
Mogomotsi said that in the Serbian’s case they were deceived by an agent who said that Drago meets all the requirements they wanted.
“We have learnt our lessons and I don’t think we’ll fall in the same trap again. At the board meeting on Monday we’ll decide on the way forward but I want to assure our supporters that we’ll make the right decision,” Mogomotsi continued.
Already a number of coaches including Rahman Gumbo, Major David Bright and Beston Chambeshi have been linked with Magosi’s hot seat.
