Palacios aims to raise the flag for flat Pirates
Ailing Soweto club set to name new manager on Monday after setbacks
THE FLAMES Augusto Palacios had been trying to put out at Orlando Pirates have transformed into a mighty blaze. This has ravaged the club in a year they should be celebrating an important milestone – turning 80. Instead they are in mourning.
The 6-1 loss to SuperSport United started the fire, forcing Muhsin Ertugral to resign on TV immediately after that match. At the weekend Mamelodi Sundowns added fuel to the fire all over again and the Buccaneers’ problems reached wildfire levels after a 6-0 defeat to the African champions.
Disgruntled Pirates fans stormed the field, resulting in 13 fans being taken to hospital.
That loss and those ugly scenes forced club chairman Irvin Khoza to fast-track hiring a new coach who will be unveiled on Monday. That man will need to bring a giant extinguisher to douse the fire.
Palacios intends to usher in the new coach with a reasonably stable foundation by beating Wits at Orlando Stadium tonight, then Cape Town City, in his last game in charge, in the Mother City on Saturday.
“We need to bounce back with a positive response,” Palacios said.
“What has pleased me is that the players have been positive at training and they know what we need to do. We need to apologise to our fans for that loss by winning against Wits. We shouldn’t just win but should send a message.
“A win against Wits and Cape Town City would ensure the next coach inherits a club with a good foundation. What’s important is that he shouldn’t be immediately put under pressure.
“The fans need to give him time. I will support him in every way I can. People don’t realise that I am not here for the money, it’s because I love this team. When the next coach succeeds, I also succeed and when he struggles, I also struggle. I love this team with all of my heart.”
Palacios’ heart took a huge beating on Saturday. He saw Pirates squander easy opportunities, concede six goals, and then be forced to run for cover to avoid angry fans baying for blood.
“That was my worst moment in football,” Palacios said. “It raised my blood pressure which is why I didn’t return for the last eight minutes.
“As the coach, I am the first to take the blame when things don’t go well. But the fans also need to understand that football is global.
“We have come a long way to get to the point of hosting the World Cup. Such scenes take us back. I understand they are frustrated, but they shouldn’t express their frustration like that.”
Khoza met the players yesterday to find out their grievances and try to get to the root of the problem as to why the club have been struggling.
Khoza revealed that one of the players had his house broken into after Saturday’s game, saying that he needs to see where they are mentally – and emotionally. They will need to be mentally sharp against the Clever Boys who put five past Ajax Cape Town in their opening match of the year. The attacking combination of James Keene and Phakamani Mahlambi will test the Buccaneers’ porous defence.
“The players are in a good space mentally,” Palacios said. “They have recovered from the shock and are ready to show it on the field. We had some good moments against Sundowns and even Pitso Mosimane said that we opened holes in their defence.
“We need to take our chances. If we had scored from the early chance we had, the outcome could have been totally different.”