Former Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Mngomeni says he would like see a South African coach take charge of his former side and be given the same support as former coach Jose Riveiro.
Pirates are in search of a head coach following the departure of the Spaniard, who has since joined Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Riveiro enjoyed an impressive stint at Pirates, winning five domestic trophies in two and half years, finishing second in the league three times and reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Most people believe Riveiro’s legacy lies in how he nurtured young talent and gave them an opportunity.
Mngomeni told iDiski Times Editor Rob Delport in edition 207 that Riveiro was able to achieve all these because of the support he received from the club and he’d like to see the same extended to a South African born coach.
“On that issue, I’ll see it a little bit differently,” Mngomeni told iDiski Times.
“Because of the fact that Riveiro is coming from outside, and then there is this thing, of all the coaches that are coming from outside, they are always given ample time to try and adjust the team to where they would like them to be. You understand what I’m trying to say?
“So Riveiro has been given that chance. And I think, and I also pray, if it can be a South African.
“I’ve got nothing against foreign coaches, but I’d love to see a South African and given the time and respect and trust. He can maybe do the same thing and even better.”
You can read Mngomeni’s full comments in Delport’s feature on Orlando Pirates’ search for a coach in edition 207.
