Pirates officials under instructions not to discuss beleaguered coach's future

Orlando Pirates’ officials are under instruction to not discuss the club’s dismal 2016-17 season‚ or the future of coach Kjell Jonevret.

TimesLIVE has been informed that Pirates’ chairman Irvin Khoza intends to address the media on Pirates’ 11th-placed finish in the Premier League‚ and a trophyless 2016-17 that culminated in a 4-1 Nedbank Cup final thrashing by SuperSport United on Saturday.

Until then Bucs’ officials are not to speak to the media on Bucs’ tribulations of the past season‚ or whether Jonevret is under threat of ending his three-and-a-half-year contract early.

Pirates had three coaches in 2016-17 – Muhsin Ertugral‚ Augusto Palacios and Jonevret.

The last of those‚ Jonevret‚ was a surprising choice having never coached outside of Scandinavia previously.

He had some initial success taking over with Bucs in 10th place in February‚ but eventually could only guide the team to 11th.

Before Jonevret’s arrival Bucs embarrassingly twice conceded six goals in their 80th anniversary season.

They were thrashed a record-equaling 6-1 under Ertugral by SuperSport in a league game in Nelspruit in November‚ then that record was broken when Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Bucs 6-0 at Loftus in February under Palacios.

Both results led to those coaches’ demise.

- TimesLIVE