Former Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele has revealed the coach that he would “give a chance” to take over from the Buccaneers outgoing head coach Jose Riveiro.
“The Spanish guitar” will step down as head coach of Ezimnyama Ngenkani when the season concludes, three years after joining the club in 2022.
The news of his impending departure has been met with disappointment by many, given his successful track record of restoring the club's former glory by winning five trophies, including three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups.
Jele stated he would be pleased if Pirates sought a coach who employs a style of football similar to Riveiro's.
He added that he would entrust the role to assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, given Ncikazi's understanding of Riveiro's methods.
Jele further suggested that Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena are candidates whom Pirates should take into consideration.
JELE ON THE COACH THAT WILL REPLACE JOSE RIVEIRO
“I don’t know which coach Pirates are looking for but obviously they want a similar coach that is going to almost play the style of play, the identity of Orlando Pirates,” said Jele as quoted by iDiski Times.
“Obviously now there is one coach that is left at Orlando Pirates in coach [Mandla] Ncikazi. Coach Ncikazi, he already understands coach Riveiro’s game model. I can give him a chance.
“There are a lot of South African coaches that are good that are free at the moment. Maybe Coach Pitso [Mosimane] might come or maybe Coach Rulani [Mokwena], he has been at Orlando Pirates and his contract is going to finish at [Wydad] Casablanca.
“So you never know. Or maybe the coach [Riveiro] can refer the team to one of the coaches that will play a similar style of play, maybe coming from Spain. We’ll never know.”
