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WINNING COMBINATION : Orlando Pirates players and officials celebrate after winning the Premiership at the weekend. Photo: Gallo Images

 He is a player's kind of manager. We go out there and prepare to die for him. (When Palacios took over) we were down and gone but now we've got that fighting spirit because we have a coach that understands us 

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"We could have gone further in the African Champions League if we had Palacios as coach because he's a coach that does his homework and that is the most important thing," McCarthy said. "He's brilliant for this football club."

Palacios guided the Buccaneers to league glory on Saturday, three months after replacing Brazilian Julio Leal, but his long-term future in the position remains in doubt.

Khoza is not known for sentimentality when it comes to the Pirates coaching job, having let go of treble-winning Dutchman Ruud Kroll last year.

McCarthy scored twice in the second half to help Pirates sail past a spirited Lamontville Golden Arrows 4-2 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

Speaking on behalf of the players, McCarthy said: "We hope that the club board thinks carefully about who they are going to appoint as the coach for next season because it is very important that players have a connection with the coach.

"He (Palacios) is a player's kind of manager. We go out there and prepare to die for him. (When Palacios took over) we were down and gone but now we've got that fighting spirit because we have a coach that understands us," McCarthy said.

"Hopefully they don't waste a lot of money bringing big-shot coaches in who might not understand South African players."

The Buccaneers closed out the season in spectacular fashion. They had only lost once under the Peruvian, against Santos in his first match in charge, but went on a show-stopping 11- match unbeaten run that was key to their title defence. In that period, Palacios kept telling his players to do whatever it took to avoid losing, even though a rut of three draws on the trot in mid-April threatened to derail their progress.

But the Peruvian remained tight-lipped after the final game about his ambitions to lead the club.

"I don't want to comment on that, that decision is for the chairman (to make)," Palacios said. "I believe that I've finished the mandate he gave to me. He never mandated me to win the league but to just coach the team."

Comments

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Sun May 19 12:04:37 SAST 2013 ::

May 21, 2012

asaowe

halalala bennie in da area, hail king Bennie
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May 21, 2012

777BOBO

We are kings once again
Orlando Pirates are the Champions
and that is a fact

Black and White i still remain
lee...naa..leee
IBHAKANIA ...LYAPHUMELELA...
lee...naa..leee
IBHAKANIYA... LYAPHUMELELA....

zonindawooo
IBHAKANIA ...LYAPHUMELELA...
zonindawooo
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May 21, 2012

Buc4life

Dumelang botlhe. E re ke simolle ka gore;
Stand up for the treble champions
what a game we witnessed. It was beautiful to watch and win the league.

Makhosi ke kopa le nkarabe:
Ke mang a yang ko Champions Legue gape? Ke mang?
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May 21, 2012

ancnduntsu

@777BOBO
@asaowe
Hail King McFATYY!!! Who cares!!
Where is Mrs Pooh?(Mrs Madikizela-Mandela). We need more tolites!!! These RODENTS are walking around with full RECTUMS, FARTING everywhere.
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May 21, 2012

Buc4life

ancnduntsu
@777BOBO
@asaowe
Hail King McFATYY!!! Who cares!!
Where is Mrs Pooh?(Mrs Madikizela-Mandela). We need more tolites!!! These RODENTS are walking around with full RECTUMS, FARTING everywhere.
.......................................
u going to see us everwhere today.- at least u know that.
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May 21, 2012

Zane10

Dankie Bhaka Bhaka!!!! Once again we did it! It looks like no one is going to touch this new league trophy, coz if Pirates take it for the 3rd time in a row. It will be ours permanent. Thanks The Mighty Bucs for we have winessed a great game on Saturday, thanks to you too Arrows for giving us a nice game to watch!!!
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May 21, 2012

asaowe

ancnduntsu

jealous eat u alive, relax we are celebrating, or else go hang yrself wth yr tie, hail king Bennie hail, up da bucs,
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May 21, 2012

Keafixa

i was expecting aa headline like Bucs are Champions of PSL again, ANIWAY u can't take away anithing from Orlando Pirates, they played like champions and the determination is overwhelming......as for Lekgwathi's opener, McCarthy's free and header infact all the goals......yah neh that team eya kgona crius.

Orlando Pirates kinda reminds me of the late Lebo Mathosa's song.....tsodiyo a robale, o tshwenya ke sepoko.All the teams tsa PSL DI TSHWENYA KE SPOKO,

Orlando Pirates ke Bosso yadi Bosso

tse ntsho ka swele
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May 21, 2012

dadaman1

To be a Buccaneer is a blessing.You are guranteed hapinness forever.

I give credit to the Chairman for being hands on the team.His desicion making are spot on and this shows he knows what he is doing.@Bucs fans,this is our moment and lets celebrate as long as we want and lets not entertain haters coz it is not about them its about the CHAMPIONS.

Bucs players,i take my dada-hat off to you,character is what you have and u showed that the whole season....

AFRICA HERE WE COME AGAIN,and this time there is no Leal....we shall conquer
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May 21, 2012

ancnduntsu

@BUCS4LIFE
Hey,RODENT ,I've bought my myself a mask and an oxygen cylinder. You sight is not a problem,I have my stick. I'll MOER any RODENT that comes close to me.
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