Under-fire Zinnbauer defended
FORMER Orlando Pirates winger Daine Klate has shown support for coach Josef Zinnbauer and what he has achieved so far, as supporters call for the German’s sacking.
Pirates fans have grown impatient with Zinnbauer despite his delivery of the MTN8 trophy to the club’s cabinet after a six-year drought.
The 50-year-old, currently in his second season since arriving midway through 2019/20, has seemingly frustrated some of the fans who feel the team is not where it should be in as far as challenging Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premiership title.
Klate, who was part of the club’s double-treble winning generation, believes Zinnbauer has exceeded expectations thus far and brought back the excitement to The Buccaneers’ play.
“I think the coach has done well, I think he’s probably exceeded expectations up until now. The team looks very good, they know what they’re doing with and without the ball,” Klate told KickOff.com.
“So, look, football is a process and unfortunately in the country at the moment those processes are not really fol-lowed, but if we follow the process and we’re patient enough then [you’ll bear the fruits].”
Klate elaborates: “Jurgen Klopp, for example, took three seasons to build that Liverpool team to win the league title, and almost not lose a match. It doesn’t happen in the first or second season, but you can see the progression of each season - winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, etc.
“So we should be learning from those types of situations, when it comes to team dynamics. Football is about process and you can never expect instant success. Once in a while, you’ll get a Leicester
City doing something special but I think we’re not patient enough.
“So far, when I watch Pirates, their plans look clear; sometimes the application of the players comes into question, but not really the tactics.
“Up until now, I think Zinnbauer has been doing well under the circumstances, with Covid-19 and having come from Germany with no experience in the PSL. He’s given a good account of himself and Pirates look like an exciting team again.” - Kick Off.