Kjell Jonevret has left the building
The resignation of beleaguered Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret should not have come as much of a surprise to The Ghost.
Despite being carefully head-hunted by management, the Swede fell on his sword a little more than five months into his tenure.
Since announcing his resignation it has been widely reported that he is to be succeeded by former Pirates gaffer Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, who was himself given the boot a decade ago.
Jonevret narrowly beat out the temperamental Muhsin Ertugral in terms of shortest time spent in the hotseat, with the latter having resigned less than six months in charge following a humiliating 6-0 pasting at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns. It now seems apparent that management did not adequately deal with the real reasons that led to the Turk abandoning the fast sinking ship.
Pirates have laboured under the misconception that they had reached the summit following that historic back-to-back treble success which was followed by an African Champions League and Confederation Cup final.
Truth is, Pirates failed to recycle an ageing squad with some of the senior players believing they have tenure at the team, losing the hunger for the fight the Soweto team so desperately requires.
Ertugral hinted at a cabal or a mafia that allegedly “orchestrated” his downfall and elected to jump rather than be pushed.
The lackadaisical attitude displayed on the pitch suggests a group of players that have lost the hunger to succeed. Pirates would do well to read the “football gospel” according to former Manchester United gaffer, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fergie did not care if you were David Beckham, if he felt you were disrespecting the badge, getting too big for your shoes or lost the hunger to compete, he planted a size 13 boot in your behind and recruited players willing to die for the badge.
Pirates legends feel chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza is detached from the team; that he needs to become hands-on for the team to regain the hunger. But getting his hands dirty would constitute interference in the technical team.
The truth was laid bare for all to see when the Buccaneers were smacked 4-1 by SuperSport United. Pirates management need to be brave and bold enough to get rid of some of the players that have long passed their sell-by date.