Publications
Partners
The events similar to that of February 2017 played out at Orlando Pirates on Tuesday when the club scooped media outlets to announce the appointment of a little-known Josef Zinnbauer as Bucs’ new head coach.
In a move reminiscent of two years ago, when Pirates unveiled a relatively unknown Kjell Jonevret from Sweden, this time the Bucs sent social media into a frenzy with the naming of German Zinnbauer as the replacement of Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic.
It was clear that Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza made the move to ward off a potential backlash from the club supporters who were increasingly frustrated at the team’s mixed bag of fortunes under caretaker Rhulani Mokwena.
When Jonevret came on board two years ago, also on a three-year contract, his appointment was made shortly after an angry mob of fans ran amok at Loftus Versfeld following Bucs’ 6-0 demolition by Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates had gone close to two months with an interim coach, Augusto Palacios, at the time.
The appointment of Zinnbauer followed 48 hours of some of the Bucs’ fickle fans calling for Mokwena’s head after the team surrendered a 2-0 lead against Baroka FC for a 2-all draw in Polokwane on Saturday.
“I hope that Josef Zinnbauer is able to hit the deck running. I know I am fully representative of all the Orlando Pirates supporters in wishing him good luck,” said Khoza in a statement released by the club on Tuesday.
He added: “It is important that we thank Rhulani for the fearless manner in which he stepped up to the plate when the need arose.
“One of the important lessons leaders learn at the top is about themselves. They are called ‘knowing what I know now’ lessons.
“I have no doubt that Rhulani has learnt a lot of those for his betterment and that of the team.”
The club confirmed that Mokwena, who assumed the caretaker role in August, would continue as interim coach until Zinnbauer was granted a work permit.
Mokwena would then return to his role as an assistant alongside Fadlu Davids.
Zinnbauer’s appointment has already been met with scepticism as the 49-year-old arrives in the PSL having not coached in top-flight football since he left FC St Gallen in Switzerland in 2017.
Zinnbauer’s other clubs where he coached include VfB Oldenburg, Karlsruher SC (assistant coach),
Karlsruher SC (reserves) and Hamburger SV (senior and reserve team) – all German clubs.
That Jonevret lasted just over five months at Pirates leaves the debate open whether Zinnbauer would see out the three years he has signed for.
In accepting one of the hottest coaching seats in domestic football, the German said: “I welcome the opportunity to lead one of the prestigious clubs on the African continent.
“I hope under my lead, we are able to return the club to its winning ways.”
Pirates, who are sixth on the Absa Premiership table, will next face Black Leopards at Orlando Stadium on December 21 before all the PSL clubs go to the festive break.
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
