With Orlando Pirates in search of former head coach Jose Riveiro's successor, former midfielder Benson Mhlongo has adviced the type of a coach the Bucs management should go for.
After nearly three successful years at Pirates, Riveiro jumped the ship, after it became clear that the Sea Robbers could not overtake Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.
After nearly three successful years at Pirates, Riveiro jumped the ship, after it became clear that the Sea Robbers could not overtake Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the Betway Premiership standings.
READ: Behind The Scenes: Pirates Pressing Ahead With Or Without A Coach
Even though the Spaniard could not deliver the league title for the Soweto giants, he exceeded the expectations upon his arrival in July 2022, as he left the badge in a better place than he found it, with the addition of five trophies in Bucs' trophy cabinet.
As Pirates look to continue the winning culture with a different coach, Mhlongo has explained the type of a coach that would suit the Ghosts.
"Pirates is a unique team you know. They've got their own style of play. Most of the time when they do good is when they have a coach that knows how to use transition and a coach that can use quick players tactically," Mhlongo said in an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma.
"Coaches are not the same, there are coaches that like slow football, possession-football, you only work in moments and there are coaches who like aggressive football.
"Pirates need an aggressive coach who focuses mainly on attacking than defence, because that's the type of players they have or they have signed, quick players," Mhlongo said.
Even though the Spaniard could not deliver the league title for the Soweto giants, he exceeded the expectations upon his arrival in July 2022, as he left the badge in a better place than he found it, with the addition of five trophies in Bucs' trophy cabinet.
As Pirates look to continue the winning culture with a different coach, Mhlongo has explained the type of a coach that would suit the Ghosts.
"Pirates is a unique team you know. They've got their own style of play. Most of the time when they do good is when they have a coach that knows how to use transition and a coach that can use quick players tactically," Mhlongo said in an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma.
"Coaches are not the same, there are coaches that like slow football, possession-football, you only work in moments and there are coaches who like aggressive football.
"Pirates need an aggressive coach who focuses mainly on attacking than defence, because that's the type of players they have or they have signed, quick players," Mhlongo said.
"For you to play like (Mamelodi) Sundowns or like Barcelona, you need technically very good players, mentally very strong, who can make decisions on their own.
"Here (at Pirates) you have players who depend on the group. So you need a coach like the Atletico Madrid coach (Diego Simeone), who knows how to work with the group, not the coach who relies on individual skill. They (Pirates) need that coach.
"Who focuses more on attack and the group and they'll continue where they left off. But if they get a coach who wants to play the ball more than attacking...
"To change the likes of (Deon) Hotto, who is quick, to calculative football, it will take him a number of seasons to adapt. So you need a coach who believes (more in attack), (a type) like (Kosta) Papic and them. That type of profile of a coach," the former Bafana Bafana midfielder insisted.
"Here (at Pirates) you have players who depend on the group. So you need a coach like the Atletico Madrid coach (Diego Simeone), who knows how to work with the group, not the coach who relies on individual skill. They (Pirates) need that coach.
"Who focuses more on attack and the group and they'll continue where they left off. But if they get a coach who wants to play the ball more than attacking...
"To change the likes of (Deon) Hotto, who is quick, to calculative football, it will take him a number of seasons to adapt. So you need a coach who believes (more in attack), (a type) like (Kosta) Papic and them. That type of profile of a coach," the former Bafana Bafana midfielder insisted.
