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Orlando Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza announced that Julio Cesar Leal will be replacing Ruud Krol as head coach of Orlando Pirates,
Premiership champions Orlando Pirates officially unveiled Brazilian Julio Cesar Leal as their new coach on Wednesday morning.
Leal, the brother of Bafana Bafana assistant coach Jaero, replaces Ruud Krol who completed his three year tenure at the club with a treble of trophies in the recently concluded season.
Leal, who signed a three-year contract with the Buccaneers, has previously coached AmaZulu and Moroka Swallows.
He helped the Birds lift the 2009 Nedbank Cup before he was dismissed by the club in a case that is still pending, with a court ruling set for next week.
Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said Leal's coaching experience and his philosophy of employing an attractive brand of football fitted with the new direction Pirates were taking, breaking away from the rigid, structured style preferred by Krol.
"With his experience we hope that he will assist us with plans that we have set," Khoza said.
"The team should be playing the kind of football that rekindles the old Pirates culture.
"Of course, there are expectations with Pirates after we achieved what we achieved this past season. It's not easy to repeat a treble."
An anxious Leal said he was honoured to be a part of one of the South African football giants while noting the hard work that lay ahead, including a Caf Champions League sojourn next season.
"It is a huge honour to be announced at this point in time by the chairman," Leal said.
"I have been part of South African football since 2006.
"Knowing the history and tradition of most clubs in the country, I want Pirates to be a winning team playing beautiful football and improving the capacity of winning games and titles at the same time.
"With the structure of Pirates and the support of the chairman, we can go even further and do even better than before."
Khoza emphasised that Krol, who was never in line for a contract extension regardless of the team's success last season, would forever be "part of history" with the side.
"I'm happy that we were successful in the last season and Krol has an enhanced his CV," Khoza said.
"I want to congratulate him and the technical team on the wonderful work, but the contract that we signed stipulates that it was a three-year contract with non-provision of a renewal.
"My duty as the chairman is to not destabalise the technical staff and the team.
"I understood why there were questions asked about his contract situation but my mandate was to give the coach all the support until the final game of the season."
Leal will name his technical stuff next week, with Pirates also expected to announce the signing of new players and managerial personnel in the coming weeks.
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Anonymous, wrote
I fully not support the new appointed coach as i do not have any trust in this guy but i just need to know who will be condem if we do win anything,due to that i reckon KROL was gona keep the momentum going,but i will give the coach 100% support.Ta
giggs , wrote
Congratulations to the ghost and to Mr. Leal!! However it starts with management. By the time the chairman hires a coach the philosophy needs little explanation. Pirates have simply failed to score goals period. sure now and then i saw them play pathetic long ball and fail to penetrate defenses, but that was not the main reason. They certainly created lots of chances. Had they scored a decent number each season, they would have won the last 5 seasons (check the defensive records if you don't believe me. Pirate keep buying talented midfielders who end up on the bench or on the stands because there so many now (often i feel sorry for these youngsters when they arrive). By selling half of them they could afford to buy two decent strikers who have scored +20 goals a season consistently in top leagues. Common Dr Khoza go get Raul, Van Nielsteroy, Trezeguet etc Importantly that way your coach will be able to have the patience with the young South African strikers who will learn without too much pressure from the masters. The 2010 World cup showed that we can take the leap when called upon. Our league needs to continue taking the leaps like this and Pirates should lead the way and Bafana will be stronger for it. Incidentally Bafana suffer from lack of strikers as well!! ALWAYS A PIRATE
RAZOR 1, wrote
Phakedi Sentso, wrote
I don't understand when it is said what is important is winning and the next thing its the attractive soccer, with Papic it was the other way round, I am now lost. Mourning supporter.
phikela, wrote
Soil Lucky, wrote
yes it is true dt under krol bucs did nt play beautful ball and many players were seatd on bench.i was thinkng dt khoza wl fetch papic.bt let wish good luck to leal
Eddie Lewisa, wrote
It is very clear that Dr Khoza decided long before the end of the season, he probably had a pre-contract signed with Leal and never expected things to turn they way they did. The last time Pirates did this was with Gordon (supporters that time), and nothing came through with the so called prefered style of Pirates afterwards. Krol did wonders and revived the winning formula of Pirates under difficult conditions, I think this is a big mistake. Nontheless I respect his decision. Amakhosi for life.
Anonymous, wrote
teko modise, wrote
Koza must tell the truth to OP supports, he does not want to see pirates doing good in the PSL. once a coach wins cups at pirates he get fired. I am pretty sure he is going to keep this one because he will be failling. Beautiful football is my feet
MOSES THABANG MODISANE, wrote
I support the Duke's comments regarding replacement of Ruud Krol. The new coach (Julio Cesar Leal) will do wanders for Pirates defending the League Title, Mtn ,Nedbank and winning the Caf Champions League also Telkom cup. Julio Cesar Leal will make Pirates Fans proud . There is Vodacom Challenge & Carling Cup comming and i know our new Coach will make us proud . I want to wish Ruud Krol & Julio Cesar Leal the best and God give the Strength to achieve their goals .
SIPHO , wrote
I support the sentments shared by the chairman and wish the new coach , players , the Club( Amabhakabhaka ) the best of luck
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