Josef Zinnbauer quits as Orlando Pirates coach, Ncikazi and Davids expected to take over

16 August 2021 - 17:29 By tiisetso malepa
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Josef Zinnbauer joined Orlando Pirates as head coach in December 2019 and delivered the 2020 MTN8 title.
SOzinnpuff0405 Josef Zinnbauer joined Orlando Pirates as head coach in December 2019 and delivered the 2020 MTN8 title.
Image: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates' German coach Josef Zinnbauer has resigned just one match into the new season in which the club crashed out of the MTN8 cup competition at the weekend.

Pirates were bundled out of the R8m winner-takes-all tournament by Swallows on their own turf in Orlando where the team gave a tepid display as the Bucs suffered a defeat in the opening match of Zinnbauer’s third season in charge.

“I would like to thank the chairman and management for the opportunity they have given me,” said the 51-year-old German, who leaves Pirates with a record of 35 wins, 20 draws and 13 losses in his 68 matches in charge of the Buccaneers.

“Unfortunately, my time at the club has come to an end.

"I have enjoyed my time here and would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the supporters.

"I have spent the past two years away from my family and for this reason I have decided to hand in my resignation. I would like to wish the club and its supporters all the best for the future.”

Zinnbauer has never really managed to win the hearts of the hard-to-please Pirates supporters since he took over in December 2019.

Even after ending the club's six-year trophy drought as he led Pirates to last year's MTN8 glory, the German still had an axe hovering him.

Zinnbauer also had a torrid start to last season after his son, Fabio, was left in comma fighting for his life in Germany after a horror car crash in October last year.

The coach was given compassionate leave and showed remarkable commitment by leaving his son fighting for his life on a hospital bed and returning to Pirates just a few days before a second-leg semifinal encounter against Kaizer Chiefs in the same tournament last year.

Pirates dominated Chiefs and advanced to the 2020 final after a 5-0 aggregate win over their arch rivals.

Pirates did not name Zinnbauer’s successor but assistant coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi are expected to take charge when the team open their DStv Premiership campaign with a home clash against Stellenbosch on Saturday afternoon.

Orlando Pirates assistant coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids are expected to take over.
Orlando Pirates assistant coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids are expected to take over.
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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