Khoza to name new coach

ORLANDO Pirates will announce a new coach “next week‚ Monday”‚ said Bucs’ chairman at a press conference at Rand Stadium yesterday.

Speaking in the wake of Bucs’ disastrous 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday‚ which sparked a pitch invasion and ugly scenes of violence‚ Khoza said such a result was unacceptable to Pirates.

Augusto Palacios’s position as coach has always been in the capacity of a caretaker. Khoza said the quest to find a replacemet on a full-time basis for Muhsin Ertugral‚ who quit in early November‚ has been hampered by candidates being contracted elsewhere.

He said one particular candidate Pirates have their sights on has current contractual issues.

“This afternoon we will be meeting with the technical team to identify the problem‚ because clarly there is a problem‚” said Khoza.

“The candidate we have indentified‚ as promised to make an announcement at the end of January‚ is currently contracted elsewhere.

“What I can gurantee is that next week Monday we will be announcing a new coach.”

Saturday’s 6-0 defeat was a record loss margin for Pirates. It followed SuperSport United thrashing Bucs 6-1 in November to equal the previous record‚ resulting in Ertugral’s resignation.

Meanwhile, Pirates will give their highest priority to cooperating for the “law to take its course” on Saturday’s pitch invasion and violence during their 6-0 defeat, said Khoza.

Khoza said that what occurred at the match was “unacceptable”.

“Violence has no place in our football. No matter how strongly we feel‚ no matter how aggrieved we are‚” said Khoza.

He added: “I commit that this matter will receive the highest priority in accordance with the law.” — TMG