Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic is happy with the progress his former club have made under Jose Riveiro Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic's recent comments have been interpreted as the Serb putting his name in the hat as the club look for a new coach following news that Jose Riveiro will be leaving at the end of the season. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Ever since Orlando Pirates announced that Jose Riveiro would be leaving his job as the club’s head coach at the end of the season, a number of names have been thrown into the hat as the search for his successor begins.
Pitso Mosimane has been mentioned as Riveiro’s replacement, as has Rulani Mokwena, currently attached to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, where he is facing a fight to save his job.
Golden Arrows boss Manqoba Mngqithi has also found himself in the mix. Mngqithi, like Mosimane and Mokwena, spent many years at Mamelodi Sundowns, and played a key role in the club winning seven consecutive league titles.
Another name that’s somehow made its way into the conversation has been that of Milutin Sredojević, who had two spells with the Soweto giants.
When asked about the club’s coaching situation earlier this week, Sredojević said, according to Soccer Laduma: "I was on two different occasions a loyal servant of the badge as head coach of Orlando Pirates. With the club's motto Once and Always, I have remained a loyal supporter of the club despite being physically far away."
He also said: “I was, I am, and I will forever stay with my heart, soul and mind an authentic Buccaneer, counting Orlando Pirates as my wholehearted home away from home."
His comments have led to speculation that he is interested in getting his job back. However, according to his history, he is someone the club should steer well clear of.
His first spell in charge of Pirates, which began in 2006, ended after just six months following a string of poor results.
His second — from 2017 to 2019 — ended in controversial circumstances. With the club showing improvement and in a good place to challenge for the league title, the Serb surprised everyone when he suddenly resigned. According to reports, his resignation came after he was accused of indecently exposing himself to a hotel cleaner. That case never went anywhere, and the charges were subsequently dropped a year later.
In 2020, Sredojević once again found himself on the wrong side of the law when he was charged with sexual assault while in Gqeberha on a scouting mission as head coach of the Zambian national team.
He was convicted on two counts of assault and handed separate three year jail terms, both of which were suspended for five years. He appealed the conviction and was later cleared at the Eastern Cape High Court sitting in Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown.
Orlando Pirates already have a bad record when it comes to dealing with gender-based violence issues around the team. When Thembinkosi Lorch was found guilty and convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, the club came under fire for not being vocal or acting against the player.
After some pressure from supporters, they suspended the player for two weeks. Sredojević was cleared on all sexual assault charges and is well within his rights to apply for the position. However, Pirates appointing him sends the wrong message, especially with the current scourge of gender-based violence in the country.
The appointment of Sredojević would undoubtedly be met with intense backlash.
His controversial past and the serious allegations against him in both his personal and professional life raise significant concerns about the type message the club would send. As a team with a strong social responsibility, especially in the fight against gender-based violence, Pirates would do well to consider the long-term implications of such a decision.
In the end, the club must choose a coach who not only has the tactical acumen to take them forward but also embodies the values they wish to uphold — both on and off the pitch. The club’s next move could define its future, and it would be wise to avoid a figure whose history could overshadow their ambitions for success.
IOL Sport
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