Pirates part ways with coach

17 January 2007 - 02:00
By unknown

Sipho Mthembu

Sipho Mthembu

Orlando Pirates accepted head coach Milutin Sredojevic's resignation yesterday, ending a rocky marriage that started at the beginning of the season.

In his official statement, club chairman Irvin Khoza said: "The management of Orlando Pirates Football Club met with the head coach, together with his agent, to discuss the letter submitted by the head coach to the club.

"After lengthy discussions, it was mutually agreed to terminate the relationship between the club and the head coach.

"I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mr Sredojevic for his contribution to the club and the team. I would further like to wish him well in his future endeavours."

But diverting from his prepared statement, it was clear Khoza released the 38-year-old Serbian with a heavy heart.

"The man is a professional, hard working, honest and loyal. All he needed at Pirates was a little luck," said Khoza of the multiple championship winning coach.

"We had hoped to deploy him elsewhere but his passion is on the field. I am certain he will return to the club and serve us in another capacity one day."

Sredojevic will remain in South Africa for a while.