Outgoing Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare could make a shock return to the club. Photo: @orlandopirates/Twitter
LATEST: Monare now hints at shock Pirates return!
Thabang Monare was among six players Pirates have let go, but the midfielder has hinted he may return to the club in a shock move.
Outgoing Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare could make a shock return to the club. Photo: @orlandopirates/Twitter
Last month, Pirates confirmed that the following players will not be part of the new season:
– Kwanda Mngonyama
– Abel Mabaso
– Justice Chabalala
– Elson Sithole
– Wayne Sandilands
– Thabang Monare
Notably, the club stated that contractual discussions with Monare had “collapsed” as the two parties could not agree on terms, with this news coming as a real shock after he featured regularly last season.
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According to a source speaking to Phakaaathi, the 32-year-old was reportedly offered a one-year extension, but the player and his representative felt the terms of this deal were not fair.
“Look, I know a lot of people are wondering what happened with Monare or why the club decided to release him,” the source was quoted as saying.
“It’s a huge surprise because he was a key player at Pirates. But, you know football is a business which comes with negotiations and all of that. If one party is not satisfied then there is no way that the deal will go through.
“Apparently he was being offered a season long deal and his salary was about to decrease, but he was not happy with that.“He wanted more and felt that it was unfair for him to be given that deal. But, the Pirates board thought otherwise because they are looking at adding some younger players in the squad who will be at the club for a long time.”
On Friday, though, a new report from Soccer Laduma suggested the club and its new coach Jose Riveiro were keen to assess Monare during pre-season, and could consider handing him a lifeline at the club.
“Indications are that after announcing Thabang Monare as one of the players to exit the club, Pirates are understood to have made a U-turn on the player! Siya sources have revealed that Bucs have backtracked on a decision to part ways with the star, with Monare now earmarked as a key player in new coach José Riveiro’s squad for the 2022/23 season,” the report said.
“According to insiders, the Buccaneers look set to offer the player a new deal, with indications that the midfielder could indeed form part of the Spanish coach’s team for the new campaign.”
Monare also hinted at his commitment to Pirates on social media
Monare made 52 appearances for Pirates since joining the club from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits, and on social media he hinted at the fact he always will be a Buccaneer.
