Orlando Pirates in advance neg

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 30: Head coach Cavin Johnson of the Stars stands on the touchline during the Absa Premiership match between Platinum Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns from Royal Bafokeng Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Orlando Pirates in advance negotiations with Cavin Johnson, BUT! there could be a stumbling block- reports

Orlando Pirates are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Cavin Johnson as their new coach.

Orlando Pirates in advance neg

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 30: Head coach Cavin Johnson of the Stars stands on the touchline during the Absa Premiership match between Platinum Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns from Royal Bafokeng Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Orlando Pirates are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Cavin Johnson as their new coach.

Pirates have reportedly been eyeing Johnson as the most suitable replacement for German coach Jozef Zinnbauer. 

Pirates have been coachless for a while

The Buccaneers have been without a permanent head coach since the departure of Zinnbauer, with the German mentor parting ways with Pirates amicably, citing “family reasons”. He had been with the club for just over two season. Johnson is now believed to be the man the club are close to appointing as his successor.

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There was already a whole heap of speculation surrounding Zinnbauers future before he and Pirates eventually decided to part ways, with the vast majority of the club’s supporters calling for his head on social media, even questioning why he returned for pre-season training. The club, however, protected him until they parted ways with him, with Johnson now firmly in their sight. 

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Since Zinnbuaer’s departure, Pirates did not appoint a permanent coach as his replacement, but rather announced that the assistant coach duo Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi would steer the ship temporarily until they find a suitable replace. Now it seems like, in Johnson they have finally found just that. 

Johnson’s shock Al Ahly departure

Johnson shocked many in the South African footballing fraternity when he quit Al Ahly, where he had recently won the CAF Champions League amongst other trophies, while serving as the assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane. What further fuelled rumours that he could be joining Pirates, was the timing coinciding with the departure of Zinnbauer.

READ | REASONS FOR CAVIN JOHNSON’S RETURN TO THE COUNTRY REVEALED, AMID ORLANDO PIRATES LINKS

The speculation of Johnson joining Pirates , however, was quickly dismissed and later a family member even came out clearing the air on the reasons why the former Supersport United coach returned to the country. Interestingly enough the source also insisted that Johnson had instructed his manager to keep sounding out interested parties in the interim. 

Source confirms negotiations between the two parties

It now appears that, Johnson’s manager had been doing just that, with sources telling The Citizen that he is now in advanced negotiations with Pirates to take over as their head coach.

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“Cavin (Johnson) is experienced, he has won things and he now has vast knowledge and understanding of the Caf Champions League, which is a space that the team wants to find itself in. At the moment, things look promising but it is very tight negotiations (with Pirates) and his salary could be the stumbling block, since he was paid really well at Al Ahly,” said the source.

Would Johnson be the right fit for Pirates? Leave your thoughts below