Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Orlando Pirates with Fadlu Davids, Assistant coach of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Bidvest Wits and Black Leopards at the Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg on the 06 February 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Zinnbauer sheds light on fans’ influence on Orlando Pirates tactics
Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbaeur says he has listened to suggestions from the fans with regards to team tactics.
Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Orlando Pirates with Fadlu Davids, Assistant coach of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Bidvest Wits and Black Leopards at the Bidvest Stadium, Johannesburg on the 06 February 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates fans may have had contributed with more than their encouraging voices, according to comments made by coach Josef Zinnbauer.
The German – previously unknown to most of the Buccaneers faithful – has proven to be an instant hit at Orlando Stadium.
The Orlando Pirates faithful may have had input in club’s success
This is due to a sharp turnaround in results, that has seen the Soweto Giants unbeaten in their last eight games, seven of those under his mentorship.
Zinnbauer says he has had time to lend an ear to the supporters since his arrival.
“I always speak to the fans and they tell me a lot about the tactics for the club and what we must do to win, and I listen and understand,” Zinnbauer told the media.
“We have fun before, during and after training. We are winning and the players are dancing and putting videos on social media. If we were losing maybe we shouldn’t put them on social media but we are doing well at the moment and we are having fun.
“My approach is to have one on one with the players after training and that helps them improve.”
Josef Zinnbauer
How Zinnbauer led Pirates’ resurgence
Orlando Pirates have won seven of the eight matches they have played since Josef Zinnbauer took over towards the end of 2019.
The only blemish in the Buccaneers’ record was the 1-1 draw away to Bloemfontein Celtic, where they conceded late to settle for a stalemate.
Since then, they have managed to race to considerable leads at halftime, with only one of their 12 goals scored in 2020.
In their impressive run, Pirates have also bagged the big scalp of reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, whom they beat 1-0 at Orlando Stadium in January.
Their last victory was another close one, where they led 2-0 away to Chippa United, before a nervy finish that followed after the hosts had halved the lead.
Zinnbauer’s men currently sit in second place in the league standings, but now shift their focus to cup action, where they host Bidvest Wits in the Round of 32 stage of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 15:30 (SAST).
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