BRAZILIAN Julio Leal was suspended by South African soccer giants Orlando Pirates after informing chairman Irvin Khoza the club was too big for him to guide.
This happened during the performance evaluation sessions conducted by Khoza last week after Pirates bombed out of the African Champions League.
Following the suspension of Leal, former Peruvian international Augusto "Njenje" Palacios was appointed caretaker with immediate effect.
Palacios will work closely with Pirates legend Teboho Moloi, whom some of the club's faithful were hoping would be handed the baton.
A source told Sowetan: "Coach Leal has made it clear he does not know what to do anymore to take Pirates to greater heights, it's something we all know."
Part of the statement released by Pirates said the coach expressed that "he could not see his way forward" and offered the chairman "to do what is right for the club".
The statement added that Pirates have launched an investigation into what prompted Leal to make such a statement. Leal, who referred to Khoza as "Dr Sokhela" when he was unveiled to the media last August, had been under tremendous pressure going into the Afcon break.
Pirates' failure to go beyond the preliminary rounds of the Champions League, after losing to Libolo two weeks ago, was a big blow for him. But Saturday's 1-0 win over Ethekwini Coastal with a last-minute goal seemed to be the final straw.
Renowned soccer commentator Ramadi "The Great" Motloung described the suspension of the Brazilian as long overdue.
"It is embarrassing that Pirates were eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League," he said.
"The club struggled to beat a team of school kids in the Nedbank Cup."
Leal could not be reached for comment, but Palacios said: "I'm a soldier employed to protect the image and restore the dignity of Pirates.
"I have been with Pirates for 17 years. There is always pressure at Pirates but with the support of the players, fans and management we will take Pirates to greater heights.
"We met with Teboho and agreed that we will make Pirates fans happy people again."
Frenchman Herve Renard, who won the 2012 Afcon title with Zambia, is one of the favourites to coach Pirates at the end of the season.
Bucs bench coach Leal
BRAZILIAN Julio Leal was suspended by South African soccer giants Orlando Pirates after informing chairman Irvin Khoza the club was too big for him to guide.
This happened during the performance evaluation sessions conducted by Khoza last week after Pirates bombed out of the African Champions League.
Following the suspension of Leal, former Peruvian international Augusto "Njenje" Palacios was appointed caretaker with immediate effect.
Palacios will work closely with Pirates legend Teboho Moloi, whom some of the club's faithful were hoping would be handed the baton.
A source told Sowetan: "Coach Leal has made it clear he does not know what to do anymore to take Pirates to greater heights, it's something we all know."
Part of the statement released by Pirates said the coach expressed that "he could not see his way forward" and offered the chairman "to do what is right for the club".
The statement added that Pirates have launched an investigation into what prompted Leal to make such a statement. Leal, who referred to Khoza as "Dr Sokhela" when he was unveiled to the media last August, had been under tremendous pressure going into the Afcon break.
Pirates' failure to go beyond the preliminary rounds of the Champions League, after losing to Libolo two weeks ago, was a big blow for him. But Saturday's 1-0 win over Ethekwini Coastal with a last-minute goal seemed to be the final straw.
Renowned soccer commentator Ramadi "The Great" Motloung described the suspension of the Brazilian as long overdue.
"It is embarrassing that Pirates were eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League," he said.
"The club struggled to beat a team of school kids in the Nedbank Cup."
Leal could not be reached for comment, but Palacios said: "I'm a soldier employed to protect the image and restore the dignity of Pirates.
"I have been with Pirates for 17 years. There is always pressure at Pirates but with the support of the players, fans and management we will take Pirates to greater heights.
"We met with Teboho and agreed that we will make Pirates fans happy people again."
Frenchman Herve Renard, who won the 2012 Afcon title with Zambia, is one of the favourites to coach Pirates at the end of the season.
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