BREAKING: Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer set for PSL return! 

Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer is said to be closing in on a return to the DStv Premiership, if the latest reports are true. 

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Zinnbauer was last in the country a couple of seasons ago, leaving not too long after the 2021/22 league season had just begun, citing family reasons. 

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His departure then paved the way for duo Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids, his assistants at the time, to take over the reins at Pirates. The duo managed to steady the ship, even going as far as leading the Buccaneers to a CAF Confederation Cup final.

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After leaving Pirates, Zinnbauer shocked many when he got the high profile job of Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow. Clearly so fond of his time working with Davids, the German mentor appointed him as his assistant at the club, but their stay at the club was a short one. In the end, results proved to be not forthcoming for duo who told to pack their bags.

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Davids then return to South Africa and became the head coach of his former side Maritzburg United. Now according to the latest reports from FARPost, Zinnbauer is set to join him again in KwaZulu-Natal, only this time in the dug out of Richards Bay FC.

Zinnbauer set to take over at Richards Bay?

“The chairman has been in talks with Zinnbauer, and everything is on course. He’s keen on a return to South Africa. The idea is to have him come and take charge of the preseason,” a source told the same publication. 

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Current coach at Richards Bay Vasili Manousakis is set to see his contract at the club expire at the end of the month, which further fuels the fire of this story. Zinnbauer will have fond memories of South African football, having led Pirates to a MTN8 title back in 2020. It now remains to be seen if he will, indeed, complete a return to the country.