Kaizer Chiefs retirement plan and pathway for Itumeleng Khune commended by Brighton Mhlongo

Speaking to SABC Sport recently, Mhlongo says this is a huge improvement from how football clubs handle the retirement of players in the country.

When Chiefs announced Khune’s final contract renewal two weeks ago, they also revealed that he will be transitioning to the coaching space and ambassadorial role in his final season.

Mhlongo says some clubs also have to adopt this way of doing things.

"First and foremost credit must go to Kaizer Chiefs because I've always there are certain things that certain teams fail to handle properly. More especially with creating that path for the player. We've seen instances where a person finds out in the morning that the team is letting them go," Mhlongo said.

"I've often wondered if teams actually have a sit down with players to say; look we think you contract is coming to an end and we don't think we are gonna renew beyond this, prior to the time. Make the player make the decision that maybe I can retire or maybe I have one more year to play. Those are the things that have to go both ways, player and management."

Mhlongo says when a player is signed or promoted to the first team, there’s always fanfare around it and exciting news. But heading to departure or retirement, the same spirit is not there, and believes what Amakhosi are doing with Khune, is helping him to be at ease with his post-retirement life.

"Let's say, the same way that I sat down with you [the club] when we met and you said you wanna sign me, let it be that ceremonious when I'm gonna depart. If I'm off that value to you, especially if you deem me as a legend of the club," Mhlongo explained.

"I think let's have a sit down, find out where am I, where is my head space, where am I going? Do I wanna retire? Do I still have a season to go and if that's your decision then I can take it up on myself as well to say; okay I think I can push for one more season," he added.

"It's very much important to have that because now Itu is playing hindsight knowing that I need to start thinking coaching. I need to start helping, I need to start being the leader that he has always been but on a bigger scale now to say, I'm no longer a player when I look at things now I'm thinking about how am I gonna help the team in terms of the managerial staff and administration wise."