Khoza puts the boot into Palacios
Player ill-discipline claims at Orlando Pirates that have been made by caretaker-coach Augusto Palacios are a cop-out, says chairman Irvin Khoza.
Khoza held a meeting with the first team on Tuesday to discuss taking responsibility in the wake of Bucs’ disastrous 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday‚ a result that sparked a violent pitch invasion by Pirates’ fans.
Khoza said on Monday that Bucs would speed up their search for a replacement for Muhsin Ertugral‚ who resigned to leave Palacios as caretaker in November. Palacios’s claims that indiscipline and players not caring enough about losing were an excuse by the caretaker coach for poor results, he said.
“And I’m disappointed if ever he’s punting that narrative. Because he should be the one assisting us‚ from his experience and his knowledge of the game‚ to come up and give us the factors that will assist us.
“If you start punting reasons, it might be taking the focus away from yourself‚ because we end up auditing you also.
“Because as a coach he has a responsibility to assist us to understand. Because he has been there for some time as an insider. Help us because you are close to the players.
“So, don’t give us reasons that are going to justify maybe your shortcomings. I can’t buy that one. It’s a nice easy way for him [to deflect attention]‚ I’m afraid.”
Khoza did say he would meet with Bucs’ players to discuss the issue of taking responsibility.
“I will be having a meeting [on Tuesday] with the whole team‚” Bucs’ chairman said.
Khoza’s comments on longtime development servant Palacios, often the fireman in a headcoaching crisis, come as a surprise to many — an indication of the level of dissatisfaction at Pirates. /