Vlad the failure impales himself

Orlando Pirates fans who chanted "you must go" and threw missiles at Vladimir Vermezovic on Tuesday night after the Bucs went down to Maritzburg United, got their wish yesterday when the coach bowed to weeks of pressure and handed in his resignation.

Vermezovic faced vehement protests from Bucs' fans calling him to be axed after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against United at FNB Stadium.

Less than 24 hours later the club announced the coach had stepped down from his post, just three days before the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.

Assistant coach Eric Tinkler will take charge of the team, just as he did last season when Roger de Sa quit.

"We have accepted VV's resignation," Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said yesterday in a statement.

"The stability of the team is always a priority. I will sit down with VV in an exit interview to hear him out. I naturally wish he [had] stayed longer and had more success at Orlando Pirates. I wish him well in the future."

The Serbian's appointment on St Valentine's Day was a shock to many after he failed to win the league with Chiefs.

Pirates had struggled for consistent form under Vermezovic in the league this season. He chopped and changed his starting lineup like someone who did not know the players.

The man who coached Pirates to Nedbank Cup glory in May could not provide answers after the club's lacklustre display against Maritzburg.

He did not seem interested in continuing when asked if he thought his job was on the line.

"I am doing my job in my way and if it is not enough, then somebody must decide," Vermezovic said. "We made two silly mistakes. We were not as strong and aggressive like usual. I don't know why," Vermezovic said.

• Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula also got into the act yesterday, tweeting: "South African fans must give coaches a break please. Rome was not built in one day.

"Chiefs stuck with Baxter despite last year's dismal results. Now he's almost a champ."