BUCS OUT OF THEIR ‘SHELL’
UNLIKE THE last two European coaches – Vladimir Vermezovic and Muhsin Ertugral – Orlando Pirates hired, the club has gone for a calmer figure in Kjell Jonevret compared to the combustible pair. “Shell” – as Jonevret’s name is pronounced – has to douse the flames that have engulfed Pirates which see the club sit in the bottom half of the league table with the second worst defence.
The players’ confidence has taken a battering because of this, not helped by the fact that they have gone nine games without a win in a year Pirates are celebrating their 80th anniversary. The Buccaneers struggle to hold onto their lead and concede, what Jonevret described as “stupid goals”, because they then play with the fear of not wanting to make mistakes.
It’s a delicate situation that requires intricately managing players.
“He (Jonevret) has staying power in the teams he has managed,” Pirates’ chairman Irvin Khoza said.
“That’s what has been our challenge (with our previous coaches). He has stayed for a long time with the club he has managed, even during trying times because of the Swedish temperament that he has. We hope that he will impart his temperament in the team. I said it last week that it would be useful to get coaches who are teachers not preachers. More often than not when we get coaches who aren’t teachers, they become the centre of attraction. We need someone who will stabilise the team and improve the players’ confidence.”
Jonevret went on a charm offensive in his first address at Rand Stadium after he was announced as the Bucs’ head coach having signed a three-year contract. He spoke about trying to bring joy back into the players and make them smile again .
He will get valuable insight on the players from Harold “Jazzy Queen” Legodi because his academy nurtured a number of them including the captain Oupa Manyisa.
Legodi will serve as Jonevret’s assistant along with Benson Mhlongo after Bradley Carnell accepted an overseas coaching gig.
“I am not here to work for a short time,” Jonevret said.