After dedicating a quarter of a century to Kaizer Chiefs, Itumeleng Khune’s chapter as a player has officially closed.

But instead of easing into retirement with a new role at the club, the legendary goalkeeper has made a surprising decision—he turned down a coaching offer from his longtime home.

And the reason? It wasn’t about the money or status—it was something a lot more personal.

The End of an Era at Amakhosi

At 38, Khune has worn the Amakhosi jersey more than most—racking up 347 appearances and an impressive 153 clean sheets.

But as the club publicly confirmed the end of his playing days in 2024, fans assumed he’d still remain in the fold in some capacity.

Kaizer Chiefs even stated they considered Khune “family” and were open to offering him a non-playing position within the club.

It sounded like the perfect way to transition one of their most loyal figures into a mentorship role.

A Role That Didn’t Match His Vision

But when Khune spoke with KickOff Magazine, he revealed that the actual offer was to coach the Under-13 goalkeepers. And that just didn’t sit right with him.

“I would have preferred to be a first team goalkeeper coach,” Khune admitted, “but I was offered to go coach the U13s.”

His hesitation wasn’t about pride—it was about impact.

Khune explained that after years of carrying the emotional weight of the senior team, he felt it wouldn’t be fair to channel that stress toward young kids who look up to him.

“I was like, ‘No,’” he said. “You end up taking out your frustrations on kids who are just trying to be like you. That’s not right.”

Hoping for a Role with Bigger Influence

Khune had been hopeful for something more in line with his skillset—maybe working with the senior team’s goalkeepers, or even stepping into a talent scouting role, given his eye for identifying promising players.

He added, “I thought those were the kinds of positions I would have been considered for. But unfortunately, the club has their own plans.”

What’s Next for the Fan Favourite?

So, with the coaching offer rejected, where does Khune go from here? That’s still unclear.

But what’s obvious is that he isn’t done with football—or giving back to the game—just yet.

Whether it’s in a scouting position, a coaching role elsewhere, or even returning to the Chiefs in a more fitting capacity down the line, fans will definitely be keeping an eye on his next move.

And whatever it is, you can bet it’ll be on his terms.