Jonevret’s job on the line at Pirates

BELEAGUERED Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret says he wants to carry on with the club despite failing to take them into the top eight‚ losing badly in the weekend’s Nedbank Cup final and facing possible sacking just four months into the job.

The coach‚ who could be on his way out in the next few weeks, according to sources close to the club, said: “I’m hungry. I’ve just started this job and I want a full season to work with my team.”

Jonevret‚ 54‚ arrived in March hoping that a firm hand on the wheel might get Pirates back on track after a poor start to the season, but in 18 games in charge since February‚ the Swede has won six‚ drawn seven and lost five.

Although they progressed to the Nedbank Cup final‚ Pirates slumped to 11th in the league standings.

“There were a lot of positive things to take in the season. I think there are a lot of discussions at the office for next season.

“But we have to wait and see what will happen. I’m not involved in all decisions.

“As you could see‚ we have some problems and that’s not just in the cup final.

“I’m 100% sure Orlando Pirates will start next season better.

“We will try to forget what has happened and try to be better. But there have been problems for a while‚” Jonevret said following a one-sided 4-1 drubbing at the hands of SuperSport United at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

“When I arrived I had hoped that it should be . . . I don’t know if I should say easier . . . but I hoped that.

“OK‚ we had too many draws, but we stabilised the team a bit. And getting to the cup final was something to be happy about.

“I have just begun and I hope [Pirates management] can listen to me and the other coaches about what we need for the future to be a better team.

“I like the experience here. I get a lot of energy from the people I meet and I can see how much the club means to them.

“There are a few things missing now to make us better‚” Jonevret said.

Gavin Hunt will not be tinkering with a winning formula as his Bidvest Wits champions returned to work yesterday at the end of their holidays, ready to take on the new season.

The coach is sticking with the same preseason programme he has relied on for years‚ officials confirmed‚ beginning with training at the club’s Sturrock Park base yesterday.

It will be followed by a steady diet of training games‚ then a trip down to Stellenbosch and concluded with a now traditional one-day two-match tournament behind closed doors at then Bidvest Stadium.