Have Orlando Pirates identified Josef Zinnbauer’s replacement? Ex-Chiefs target ‘excited’

Orlando Pirates may have already identified their preferred candidate to replace coach Josef Zinnbauer, with the latest reports stating they could be planning for life after the German.

Zinnbauer who appeared to finally earn the endearment and trust of the Pirates faithful, with some good early season results, has seen his stock plummet incredibly in the last couple of months. That period marks one where the results had dried up significantly, and seen the Soweto giants fall further away from second spot on the log.

Orlando Pirates have failed to find momentum this season

Pirates have since been overtaken by the likes of AmaZulu for that much coveted CAF Champions League spot. It is the type of run that their former striker, Benni McCarthy has been able to facilitate at Usuthu, which the Buccaneers faithful have been yearning for all season. Zinnbauer has failed to give them that momentum, with his “stop-start” season often giving the fans a reason to voice their disgruntlement.

Club management also seem to be frustrated with the German mentor

Now, it would appear that, it isn’t just the fans who are of that impression, and if the latest reports are to prove accurate, it seems as if the Pirates management seem to echo the fans’ sentiments. According to a source that spoke to The Citizen, Pirates may already be looking past Zinnbauer. The source even went as far as name dropping their reported preferred candidate as Algerian Adel Amrouche.

Adel Amrouche reportedly looking forward to the Pirates job

“He is excited about it. He’s always wanted to coach in South Africa. He is following the local game and knows most of the players here and if an offer is made, I don’t think he’d not accept it,” said the source, who the Citizen claim is “close” to Amrouche.

It is reported that the Pirates regime had mandated Zinnbauer to ensure the club go back to playing in the main continental competition next season, and with Amabhakaniya seven points behind Amazulu, with four games remaining, achieving that objective may prove a tricky proposition. The fact that the clubs top brass have already started to look in the direction of the Botswana national team coach could be an indicator of just how little faith they have in Zinnbauer getting them over the line.

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Amrouche’s name may sound familiar to many supporters, as his name first surfaced in conversations pertaining to the Kaizer Chiefs coaching position before they opted for Gavin Hunt.