Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala says that new coach Giovanni Solinas has been welcomed with open arms as the club looks to end their trophy drought in the 2018-19 season.

The Soweto giants put an end to their three-month ‘nightmare’ search for a mentor, after unveiling the former Free State Stars coach who took over from Steve Komphela – who resigned after a Nedbank Cup loss against Ea Lla Koto.

Having been introduced to the Chiefs players last week Friday, the Italian mentor has hardly got to work with his new side, but has already left a good impression, according to Tshabalala.

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‘He was well received by the players, and obviously we know what is at stake,’ he told Kickoff.

‘The mere fact that the club brought him here shows the quality and knowledge that he has.

‘For us as players, we need to respect that and we need to help him as well so that he can bring success to the club, he cannot do it alone. So, players need to come to the party,’ he added.

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Prior to Solinas’ unveiling, Chiefs were linked with a host of coaches, which include Stuart Baxter, Luc Eymael and Nikola Kavazovic.

When asked about Solinas’ appointment, the midfielder revealed that he and his Chiefs teammates were in the dark as much as everybody else was.

‘All, of us kept asking ourselves, “Who is going to be in charge? Do you think it’s so-and-so; do you think it’s so-and-so?”

‘Until they made the announcement, that’s when we knew that he’s our boss and he’s going to be working with us.

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‘Personally, I told myself that, whoever comes in, I’ll respect them and I’ll continue doing my job, and I’ll also do my part in terms of helping the coach as well.

‘I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because I was expecting anyone. I was in the dark as well, even my sources couldn’t tell me [who the new coach would be],’ he concluded.

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Solinas will not be on the bench as he awaits his work permit when Chiefs meet Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s Shell Helix Ultra Cup pre-season friendly at the FNB Stadium.

Photo:Ryan Wilkisky/Backpagepix