Irvin Khoza has urged his new Orlando Pirates coach, Milutin "Micho" Sredojevic, to be in complete command in a manner similar to what Alex Ferguson was during his 27-year tenure at Manchester United.
And buoyed by the backing of his boss, Sredejovic vowed that he would take complete control of all things football.
Sredojevic was unveiled to the media at Orlando Stadium this week for his second spell with the Buccaneers, this time on a three-year contract.That coaches have to battle with behind- the-scenes issues at Pirates is a drum that's beaten more often than not, especially when the Bucs ship traverses stormy seas, as was the case in the past diabolical season that saw them finish 11th and outside of the top eight for the first time in the PSL era.
Sections of the Ghost (as the Sea Robbers faithful are known) point accusatory fingers at technical director Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala.
Sredojevic didn't mince his words that he would be the alpha and omega of football affairs on and off the field.
Team player
"I strongly believe in my capacities as a manager off the field and football coach on the field. I came here being assured of the full support from the club and all the structures within the club," said the Serb, who was unveiled this week by the club he led to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League semifinals in 2006.
"I will deal with the football issues on the field of play. I believe that I am a team player and I will give my full contribution, and all capacity from the coaching and technical aspect."
At the press conference to introduce Sredojevic to the media at Orlando Stadium this week, Khoza was asked whether he had done an introspection regarding the procession of coaches due to a combination of behind-the-scenes interference in the coach's duties and player power."It is the duty of the coach to assert himself. Even the players, for them to respect him they must know that you do things that make them look forward to come to training," he responded.
"They must see this guy is improving my talent, my game. I'm learning out of this person. It cannot just be a church service. Even a church these days, you find people going to charismatic churches. That's how you take charge [even] with all the petty agendas, whether it is the technical team, whether it is whoever.
"There are things I've picked up. Some are exaggerated, some factual. Maybe there is a cabal in the team, I don't know. Everybody wants to make himself relevant. You find that in our families these things happen. Everybody in a family has an agenda.
"When you're the head of the family you're able to read the situation, if this one is coming with an agenda.
"Those things are there but it also takes the coach ... How did a coach like Ferguson manage the responsibility of a club like Manchester United?
"They entrusted him with the business of Manchester United ... He is in charge, he is the boss. [Jose] Mourinho is trying to do the same."
Without divulging details, Khoza conceded that "there have been challenges in the team" and confirmed that the report on the investigation of player power commissioned after Muhsin Ertugral's resignation a few months into the job "is almost complete".
Three cornerstones
Three tenets will be the cornerstone on which Sredojevic will attempt to breathe life back into the phlegmatic Pirates, who have suffered a trophy allergy since 2014.
First: Iron defence. Second: Creative build-up. Third: Sharp attack.
Sredojevic is the fourth Pirates coach in 11 months after Ertugral, Augusto Palacios and Kjell Jonevret, who jettisoned himself from the job after just six months.
The man who resigned as national team coach of Uganda after taking the Cranes to their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 39 years is under no illusion about the disconcerting duty of dragging Pirates from the doldrums of a diabolical past season.The 2016-17 season saw Pirates a team in total tatters, with a defence that leaked 40 goals, the fourth most porous rearguard, a jaded midfield bereft of ideas and a timid, toothless, powder-puff attack that managed a paltry 29 goals, three more than relegated Highlands Park.
"In my head I bring my knowledge. My dream is a dream of every coach on this planet, which is to have an iron defence and move to midfield from where we can produce creative build-up which can endanger the goal with sharp attack. How we achieve that, let the time in front of us tell."
A self-confessed servant and soldier of the game, born in the then Yugoslavia 47 years ago, Sredojevic is aware that he has to hit the ground running to remove the scowls from the Ghost.
Supporters own club
"You cannot ask for patience from the fans. The drop-bottom season must be behind us. You need to have the face of winning. It is the only thing the fans understand.
"The supporters are the owners of this team - we are all servants. Football is played for the supporters. They are the driving force that push us to the limit. I believe in my ability as the coach to put the team in the right direction. In this club you need to deliver immediately," said Sredejovic.
Khoza conceded that the failure to reenergise the team contributed to the calamitous season that the Buccaneers endured in the past campaign."We didn't re-energise and completely overhaul the team. Unfortunately nobody has come up with an assessment of what the players have gone through since the days of the double treble and travelling (on the road to the Champions League and Confed Cup finals, both of which Pirates lost to Al Ahly in 2013 and Etoile du Sahel in 2015 respectively), and its effect on the players," he said.
What kind of Pirates will South Africans see under Sredojevic when the team kick off their 2017-18 Premier Soccer League campaign against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on August 19?
"The first match will be like the Champions League final against Chippa," he said. "I have been absent, yes. I have followed what has happened in the club.
"I have watched their matches several times (on TV)," said the coach, returning to Bucs where he had a seven-month stint in 2006.
"Some players I have coached, some I have seen from a distance, some I know, some are newcomers. All these groups I need to turn into one group ... How to do that 100% will not happen talking to you on the microphone here. I need to go out to the field of play. As a sportsman you always want the best. I believe that I have unfinished business."
bbk@sundaytimes.co.za..