The South African football community was caught by surprise when Josef Zinnbauer parted ways with Orlando Pirates in August 2021. Having won the MTN8 and secured a third-place finish in the 2020/21 campaign, this decision appeared rather sudden. This is despite his son's health taking a knock after a nasty car accident. Zinnbauer is remembered by many as a coach who brought back a winning feeling within the club's Houghton corridors, even if his style of play was not always pleasing to the eye. Many who have coached Pirates will tell you that in the eyes of the fanbase, the combination of results and good football can be a life-and-death one. So, following a lengthy break from the game and a short spell at Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia, the German coach took charge of one of Africa's biggest teams, Raja Casablanca, in June. Speaking to Soccer Laduma's Kyle Lewis in this interview, the 53-year-old opens up about bringing in Fadlu Davids, why Raja chose to not sign Samir Nurkovic and his exit from Orlando Pirates.
Kyle Lewis: Hi Josef… good to speak to you. How did your move to Raja Casablanca happen?
Josef Zinnbauer: I had four different offers from different countries. One agent, I think he is from the club, got a hold of me and then directly linked me to the president. At the same time, I got information that "Raja Casablanca is thinking about you", but no one called me. Later, the agent came, and he asked me to come to Morocco to negotiate. So, I went to Casablanca, and we had the meeting and then it was clear that I would join.
KL: We're talking here about one of the biggest clubs in Africa! Did you feel the pressure as soon as you took charge?
JZ: When I was with (Orlando) Pirates, we faced Raja in the cup (CAF Confederation Cup) games and I know the club. The new president gave a lot of good words and (promises about) what he will do in the future. It was then that I was aware of how big it is, the club and the supporters. Before I travelled to Morocco, I also saw two games, the last two before I came, to get information about the team.
KL: You mentioned you were in talks with other clubs. At the time, it was reported back here in South Africa that you were in talks with Richards Bay FC before you went to Morocco. Was there any truth to that?
JZ: There was a contact who asked if I was available. I said yes, but then for a long time, I heard nothing from the club. The president, I heard he was sick and in hospital. Maybe it was afterwards, but I heard that the president was not available to speak. So, I had a chat with another club, plus one, and Richards Bay also. For me, it was clear that I was going to Raja because the other clubs were fine, but they were more a direction for money and not playing style.
KL: You brought in Fadlu Davids. Can you walk us through why you brought in the former Maritzburg United coach?
JZ: This was not the first thought as Fadlu was not available at the time. I had other contacts, a guy from Switzerland who speaks French. This was the first option for me because I needed a second coach to translate and (who knew) the philosophy of playing more from Europe's side. So, then we started with this guy and then we got another coach from Germany as a goalkeeper coach and then we (started to) work, and I felt that Raja needs more. I was looking for a second coach, but Fadlu was not available. At the end of the day, Fadlu was free, and this was, for me, a signal that I could ask him again now. Before, he said, "No, it's not possible, I'm unavailable for you." But then I tried again and then he agreed. It was coincidental that he was available for me.
KL: You signed Haashim Domingo. Can you explain how that came about? Were you involved in the process of bringing him on board?
JZ: No, Domingo was here before I arrived. When I came to Raja, he was here and close to signing. It was clear that the negotiations were finished, but the president gave me the information and we negotiate. At the same time, Domingo was here for a medical test as he was ready to sign. But I know the player from South Africa and I was okay with this signing.
KL: Samir Nurkovic was spotted training with your side. Why did the club decide not to add him to the roster?
JZ: The problem was that he was a long time out and I know him from South Africa, he is a top player. He went with us to Saudi Arabia and did a good job there, but the conditioning was the problem. We needed a player who was currently fit for us. It was important for us to see how fit he is and his injury history, but he was very good. This is the reason why a permanent deal did not take place.
KL: What are your thoughts on the African Football League?
JZ: I think it's good to see that they created a tournament to encourage competition, but I must be honest, I don't have a lot of information now because we are not in it. I heard also there is an option for us, but no one gave me information – it may just be a rumour. Tournaments are good for clubs and players, but at the moment, I have my focus on the club, we are not involved.
KL: Were you surprised that Raja was not invited to the inaugural tournament?
JZ: I don't know if it is a surprise or if the club wanted to enter the tournament… I don't know. Let alone the decision from the association, I don't know if our club wanted to participate.
KL: In the Arab Champions Cup, you were knocked out of the quarter-finals by a star-studded Al Nassr side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. Were you disappointed with the outcome?
JZ: Firstly, the signings were not able to play, so our squad who played more than 40 games and had a long season were the only players available. We couldn't make any changes as the new signings were not allowed to play. However, we did a good job. There was also the quality question as I felt that we gave Al Nassr too much respect, but in the second half, we realised we can win this game. But it is what it is. This was a good experience for us, but soon we had to focus on the league as two weeks later, our league started. It was not easy managing a tournament like this. The information we received was that we are starting the league in September, but we started directly after the Arab Champions Cup, which was not in the plan. It is a country where they don't give us the information from the start.
KL: What is the club's ambition for this season?
JZ: At Raja Casablanca, you can't say, "We are looking forward." No, you need to win titles and that's the target we have. I know as a coach, it is not easy as you can always say you can win the league, but you also need a pre-season first and players who are fit and ready for a whole season. We also need to integrate the new signings in terms of conditioning, but that is our work, and we will look forward to winning titles. We fight for the league, but I know it is not always easy. We also have a vision – we want to create and build new structures in the club.
KL: Reflecting back on your time at the Buccaneers, it was relatively successful. Did you enjoy it?
JZ: It was a good experience for me with the team. I must thank the owners, managers and players. It was very good. We were in a bad situation at the time, but we came out of it and won a cup. With the owners and managers, there was a new structure implemented and I am happy they have success again. This is a good club, but it was not the best time to say goodbye, but I cannot change it now. I don't miss this time, but I had a good time there.
KL: You helped the club end a six-year trophy drought. Would you say that was the highlight of your time there?
JZ: There was a lot of highlights. New players, no experience, new structures and input. This club is very professional and structured. I met a lot of you guys – Fadlu, for example, and new players. This was also a highlight for me as a coach. The highest point was winning the cup, but also the derbies against Kaizer Chiefs were a highlight for me. I think I won four games against them, but the best moment was the cup.
KL: Your departure caught many by surprise…
JZ: This was a decision of my family problems. So, this was the thinking, we talked about it a lot. It was better for both parties. This was the reason for cancelling the contract.
KL: Someone who featured during your tenure, Zakhele Lepasa, is in a rich vein of form and already had more than 10 goals in all competitions after one month. At the time, did you think that he had the potential to become one of the best strikers in the league?
JZ: For sure, you can ask him, I always told him. He was not always available for selection in my time, due to a career-threatening injury. I was very angry at the time, but a player of his quality, you need him in the squad, especially in the starting line-up, but it was not possible. Now you can see his quality.
KL: During your time with Pirates, were there any players whose quality surprised you?
JZ: I think the whole squad was a surprise. I'm sure we won the first eight games in a row. We had (Thabiso) Monyane, a young player who was constantly improving and (Paseka) Mako, who happened to be injured quite a bit. A lot of players in the squad surprised me in terms of people not believing in them, but they came back and had a good season. Gabadinho Mhango, you know, no one believed in him, he was injured but then he came back and had a good season where he scored 16 goals (17 in all competitions in 2019/20). A lot of players gave us a few good feelings.
KL: You had a record of 35 wins, 20 draws and 13 losses in your 68 matches in charge. Do you think the current team could do even better?
JZ: Yes, I hope. In the moment they have a top squad, the coach is also doing good work. I know they lost to (Mamelodi) Sundowns, but they are top. If you want to beat Sundowns, you need a good day. The first round of the season, they need points, so it's difficult, but you have a better chance if you meet them in the second half of the season and then they might rest players for the CAF Champions League or give opportunities to fringe players. In the first round, it is not easy to beat them. Pirates have a chance to move forward in cups such as MTN (MTN8) and others, but the league is incredibly difficult. I must say that the current squad at Pirates is very good and getting closer to Sundowns.
KL: Having have won the league six seasons in a row, do you think Sundowns can be stopped?
JZ: At the moment, no. Pirates need more seasons and another player that can score lots of goals. Sundowns are just unstoppable at the moment.
