Fernando Da Cruz knows the heat is rising at Naturena, and he is pointing to Arsenal and PSG to buy himself time.

The Kaizer Chiefs coach has opened up on the pressure he is facing amid reports of growing unhappiness behind the scenes. According to sources, differences have emerged between the Amakhosi hierarchy and staff over his team selections.

The numbers explain the concern. Chiefs are still unbeaten in the Betway Premiership, but across all competitions they have managed just two wins, five draws and one loss in their last eight outings.

“From the day that I joined Kaizer Chiefs, I knew that the pressure would be very high,” said Da Cruz during a media conference in Durban.

“And I put pressure on myself every day; we try step by step to improve the level. We don’t get the results from the moment we expect them, and that the fans expect.

“I’m focused on my job; we are focused on the team to improve our level and get the results that we want. The most important thing for me is that the fans must be happy. We are only on our job.”

Asked about Chiefs’ decline over the past decade, the Frenchman argued that rebuilding a giant cannot be rushed.

“Everyone is free to think what they want; the most important thing is to continue to develop our club because we are only focused on that. And one more time, everyone can think what he wants.

“For example, there’s one club, Arsenal. It took seven years with Arteta to win one title,” said Da Cruz.

“Paris Saint-Germain, it took them 13 years to win one Champions League. So when we want to develop one project in one club, it takes time. It’s not from one day to the other day.”

Pressure could be added on Da Cruz should Amakhosi fail to advance to th egroup stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.

They are trailing Zambian side Red Arrows 1-0 going into Friday night’s second leg of the second preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

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