Micho unveiled as new Orlando Pirates coach

Coach Micho looked sharp moments before the press conference. (Credit: Micho)

FOOTBALL

Orlando Pirates FC on Thursday officially announced the return of coach Milutin Sredojević to the South African top-flight football club following his departure from the Uganda Cranes.

Best known as Micho, the Serbian tactician parted ways with Uganda's national football side not long after a 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against South Sudan in Kampala.

After prolonged speculation as well as uncertainty over his future in Uganda, the 47-year-old finally threw in the towel.

Micho returns with 'a great record'

At a press conference on Thursday, the club's chairman Irvin Khoza told reporters that there had been "a lot of speculations" surrounding the unveiling of a new coach.

He finally put to bed any lingering uncertainty over the matter.

"We welcome back Milutin Sredejovic, coach Micho, a man whose integrity I respect," he said.

"When he [Micho] left [after his first spell at the club], he left graciously. Now, he comes back with a great record and experiences throughout the continent," said Khoza of a man that took Uganda back to the Africa Cup of Nations finals after close to four decades of a no-show.

The club boss said they would announce Micho's technical support staff "after further discussions".

Micho guided Uganda to a first Nations Cup finals in 38 years

'We are confident'

The club also announced that one of their key players, Oupa Manyisa, would be joining rivals Mamelodi Sundowns. Khoza said he will be exiting the outfit as a "highly decorated" player with an "unbelievable record" with Pirates.

Ahead of the new season, the club hopes to recruit one or two signings for "key positions".

"We will be announcing and finalizing player transfers and staff movements soon," added club chairman Khoza.

He admitted that while the league has improved in quality, "we must be above our competition".

"We are confident with our new coach and support."

Last season, Pirates finished in the bottom half of the table (11th) with  33 points, 27 points behind league champions Bidvest Wits.

The club is confident that with the latest reforms, they will have better bite against their opposition.

Orlando Pirates fans will be hoping for a brighter upcoming season

Trail of success

Their new coach Micho returns for a second spell.

It's 16 years now since he started off his African coaching expedition with SC Villa (2001 until 2004), where he guided the Ugandan club to three successive league titles.

After there, his adventure took him to Ethiopia. There, he also enjoyed title-winning success with Saint-George SC.

Micho went on to join Orlando Pirates, Young African FC of Tanzania, then back to Saint-George.

Before replacing sacked Bobby Williamson at Uganda Cranes in May 2013, the Serb first coached Sudanese side Al-Hilal Omdurman and Rwanda's national side.



ALSO RELATED TO THIS STORY

2018 CHAN qualifiers: Uganda 5 South Sudan 1

FINALLY: Uganda qualifies for AFCON 2017