Lothar Matthaus is among the names in line to be the next head coach of Orlando Pirates.
Augusto Palacios will be in charge of Pirates until the end of the season, but the search for a new, big name coach is already under way at the popular Soweto club.
Palacios took over as caretaker-coach after the suspension of Brazilian Julio Leal.
This week, Leal and Pirates officially parted ways, and the Buccaneers announced that Palacios would remain in the hot seat until a new coach is appointed.
Palacios’ side earned a credible 3-2 win over arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs two weeks ago, and they are still in line for league title honours.
Some top coaches have been linked to the Pirates job. They include former West Germany captain Matthaus, who is said to have submitted his CV to the club soon after Leal’s suspension.
Pirates’ treble winning coach from last season, Dutchman Ruud Krol, is also still unattached.
Meanwhile, PSL club Black Leopards take a break from their relegation battles this weekend to try and seal a last-16 slot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Leopards, struggling towards the basement of the PSL log, hold a 4-2 first leg advantage over Saint Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of the return game in a first round tie.
The two away goals, though, could well play to the advantage of the DR Congolese, when the teams meet in Lubumbashi.
Leopards’ Serbian coach Vladislav Heric admits his team does not have the defensive strength to try and hold their lead and has promised more attacking fare. The best way to defend is to attack... this the manner in which Heric is approaching the match.
Match fatigue could also count against Leopards, after playing 10 matches within 31 days in the PSL, Nedbank Cup and Confederation Cup.
The winners of this tie will face Warri Wolves of Nigeria or FC Kallon of Sierra Leone. - Sapa and Sapa-AFP