Orlando Pirates on Thursday made the shock announcement that their coach, Milutin Sredojevic, has resigned with immediate effect.
The Buccaneers made the news public on their social media channels, as well as their website, after 10pm on Friday night.
Serbian mentor Sredojevic has stepped down for personal reasons, Pirates said.
The former Uganda Cranes Coach “Milutin Sredojevic relinquishes his position as Head Coach of Orlando Pirates Football Club after two seasons at the helm,” a club statement read.
“The Club would like to place on record that this decision was taken unilaterally, and it was the management’s decision to accept Mr Sredojevic to vacate his position based on reasons he has presented, which are of a personal nature.
“Rhulani Mokwena assumes coaching responsibilities, assisted by Fadlu Davids and Franck Plaine.”
In a video on the club Twitter account, Sredojevic bid farewell to the fans.
“Dear supporters, spiritual owners of Orlando Pirates, this institution… I would like to use this opportunity and occasion to whole-heartedly appreciate those over 740 days that we have spent together, ” the 49-year-old said.
Joins Zamalek:
Egypt’s Zamalek has announced Micho as their new head coach.
The CAF Confederation Cup winners have been searching for a new manager since Khaled Galal was fired last month following a defeat to arch-rivals Al Ahly.
Galal was appointed as the Whites’ head coach in May, succeeding Christian Gross, who the club opted against extending his contract due to his high wage demands.
Following Galal’s departure, Zamalek’s board have interviewed a number of candidates for the vacant job, including Ramón Díaz, and former managers Jaime Pacheco and Jesualdo Ferreira.
And on Thursday, club president Mortada Mansour announced that they have named Serbian head coach Aleksandar Stanojević as their new manager, however, two days later, he revealed that Milutin Sredojević, known as Micho, is the one who will take charge of the club.
Speaking on Saturday, Mansour said: “Micho was our first choice. Tarek Yehia (current interim manager) will be his assistant, Ayman Abdelaziz will be appointed as team coordinator, and Amir Mortada will continue in his role as director of football.”
Asked about the reason behind announcing Stanojević as the club’s new manager, he said: “Stanojević will not take charge of Zamalek. It was a trick to find out who the club’s enemies are and I revealed them in front of everyone.”
Mansour has also revealed that Sredojević will arrive in Egypt on Sunday to sign his contracts, before leading the team in the CAF Champions League and the Egypt Cup.
Sredojević had resigned as Orlando Pirates manager on Friday following a heavy defeat to SuperSport United two days earlier.
He was named as Orlando Pirates manager in August 2017 and took charge of the club in 80 games across all competitions, winning 38, drawing 26, while losing 16.
Prior to his time in South Africa, he managed the Ugandan national team and was close to reaching the 2018 World Cup, but the Cranes lost their place in the finals to Egypt.
The 49-year-old Serbian has also managed the likes of Sudan’s Al Hilal, Tanzania’s Young Africans, Saint George of Ethiopia, and Ugandan side SCV Kampala.
He also led the Rwandan national team between 2011 and 2013, and had a brief stint as Yugoslavia U20 head coach.
Micho knows how to win a trophy, having guided Villa SC to three consecutive league titles (2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004), one Ugandan Cup, and the CECAFA Clubs Cup in 2003.
He also lifted four Ethiopian Premier League titles and two Ethiopian Super Cup with Saint-George, and the 2010 Sudanese Premier League with Al Hilal.
However, his last trophy came in 2015, when Uganda won the CECAFA Cup under his charge.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
