Germany-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein is widely credited as saying: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
I couldn't agree more.
Something had to give at Kaizer Chiefs.
How ironic it is that the words of Einstein came to haunt his compatriot Ernst Middendorp, now referred to as Chiefs' former coach.
Read: Website crashes as Chiefs fire Middendorp
Chiefs might have taken what they deemed appropriate action by dismissing Middendorp and his assistant Shaun Bartlett this week, but does it solve their problems?
While it was the right call by chairperson Kaizer Motaung and must be applauded, Middendorp's sacking isn't the solution to the club's problems.
There is a need for serious introspection at the club. There is accountability in everything and someone has to take the blame. Yes, the buck stops with the coach, but he can't be the only one to blame.
Many, myself included, believe there is a big elephant in the room that needs to be addressed and tackled - Bobby Motaung.
As the club's manager of football, Bobby is tasked with the comings and goings of coaches and players at the club. But is he the right man for the job or did he land the position because his father is the boss? What criteria were used to give him the job? How was he judged? Based on what?
Read: Tim Spirit | Bobby Motaung deserves harsher punishment
Let's be honest, Bobby has not covered himself in glory over the past few seasons. Some of the club's decisions have been questionable, if not bizarre and irrational. Take recruitment for example - it leaves much to be desired. Not all the recruited players are of Chiefs material.
The buck stops with Bobby, who has to make sure that he lures the best talent to win games and deliver silverware - not just to add to the numbers.
But Bobby is not the only problem - whoever gave him the powers to do as he wishes should also shoulder blame. Whoever he answers to is equally at fault.
But I think the problem at Chiefs runs far deeper than Bobby's questionable decision-making.
Read: Bobby Motaung's suspension is over but will he rejoin the team?
Clearly, there is a football leadership crisis. I have said this before and am going to say it again - without a technical director, the Chiefs technical team is rudderless. Who are they accountable to?
There is a need for serious introspection at the club. There is accountability in everything and someone has to take the blame. Yes, the buck stops with the coach, but he can't be the only one to blame.
It doesn't make sense why Amakhosi decided to let go of George Maluleka instead of extending his contract by at least two months. His departure destabilised the side as he had played a big role in taking it to the top of the log.
Last season, the club let go of players on the eve of the Nedbank Cup final, which it went on to lose to NFD side TS Galaxy. These are but some of the decisions that demoralise the remaining players and come back to haunt them.
Read: Analysis | How the once mighty Chiefs have fallen ... and fallen
Back to Middendorp.
His axing can't be the solution to the team's problems. Yes, he was at fault for gifting the championship to Sundowns on a silver platter after he had everything going for him in the first round of the campaign.
His problem was that, once he was caught out, he had no plan B.
One Styles Ledwaba would call it play that can break midfielders' necks because they always have to look upwards as the defenders hoof the ball up and forward
It was smooth sailing in the first round because other clubs didn't know how to deal with Chiefs' aerial prowess in front of goal, but, once that was figured out by their rivals, who used the lockdown period to study and counter his style of play, the wheels started coming off. Middendorp's tactics proved to be one-dimensional and easy to pick apart.
But Chiefs' problem has always been in defence, where the team has been porous. Just because they have been scoring goals doesn't mean they solved their defensive frailties.
Besides, their brand of football was not so attractive to the eye, with their skop, skiet en donder type of "helicopter" play. One Styles Ledwaba would call it play that can break midfielders' necks because they always have to look upwards as the defenders hoof the ball up and forward. This is not the kind of play Amakhosi fans are used to.
Sometimes it is not just about winning, but how you win games. Not just about losing matches, but how hard you fight going down.
Read: The Glamour Boys | legendary Forl n is available to coach ‘if project is good' in SA
Chiefs supporters are hurting, and rightfully so. They have been ridiculed and called names. They are tired of being the laughing stock of the country. In fact, they deserve better than what they have been subjected to.
On the subject of Bobby, I am still to hear his public apology for transgressing lockdown regulations. I expected him to have issued a public apology for his behaviour, but I was clearly wrong to expect that from him.
He obviously didn't see anything wrong with what he did. We also still haven't heard what kind of sanction the club meted out to him besides banishing him to the sidelines for a month.
Follow me on Twitter @TimspiritMolobi
