Has Orlando Pirates’ replacement for Josef Zinnbauer landed in Johannesburg?

Potential Jozef Zinnbauer replacement Adel Amrouche is reported to be in Johannesburg amid reports linking him to the Orlando Pirates job for next season.

Amrouche was originally linked to the Chiefs job

Amrouche who is the current coach of the Botswana National Football Team was first linked to the South African football before the start of this season, as Kaizer Chiefs who went in search of a new coach after firing German mentor Ernst Middendorp, who failed to deliver the league to Naturena last season, having also lost the Nedbank Cup final in 1-0 upset to then GladAfrica Championship side TS Galaxy.

Pirates are now rumoured to be interested

Chiefs would eventually settle on Gavin Hunt, however, but now it has emerged that Amrouche may have more than just one admirer in Soweto. Earlier this month it was reported that Chiefs’ rivals Orlando Pirates had begun losing their patience with their own German coach in Josef Zinnbauer. The reports even going as far as claiming that Amrouche is “excited” by the prospect of coaching Pirates.

READ | HAVE ORLANDO PIRATES IDENTIFIED JOSEF ZINNBAUER’S REPLACEMENT? EX-CHIEFS TARGET ‘EXCITED’

Amrouche is still contracted to the Botswana Football Association, however, it is scheduled to come to an end in June. That has made the nature of his visit to Johannesburg even more intriguing and has heightened already existing reports that fears are growing in Algeria that the national team will not be able to retain his services.

Amrouche could have plenty of options to choose from in SA

A source confirmed the Algerian’s trip to Johannesburg to The Citizen, going as far as hinting that Amrouche may have way more options in the country than what was initially reported.

“I think something is going on, there is no way the coach might just decide to go to Johannesburg.

“I believe there is a move pending plus his contract with the national team is ending in June or July,” he said

“We also have to remember that it is not the first time that we’ve heard news that coach Amrouche is being approached by club’s in the PSL. I think he has also spoken out about his desire to coach in South Africa for big teams like Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or SuperSport United. But I guess we will wait and see what will happen because what I know is that he has been very happy with the way things have been going in Botswana, I am surprised that he  went there (SA),” he continued.

Zinnbauer is thought to be skating on thin ice at Pirates with the club annoyed at the fact that he looks unlikely to deliver on their remit of qualifying for the CAF Champions League. It would be interesting to see how Amrouche’s presence in Johannesburg has to do with that.

Watch the space!