The season
It was during the 2007/08 season. I came in after six or seven games into the season and Pirates was bottom of the league. For a big club like that, it was tough. They had a very big squad.
How the deal happened
I got the best contract of my life at Pirates. I never spoke any money with the chairman (Irvin Khoza). A contract was put down in front of me and it was a sterling contract, and I did not even hesitate. I had to first find a way to have closure with Platinum Stars. I got closure and then the next day I signed with Pirates. When the chairman puts a contract in front of you, it's done my man. I guarantee you that. The chairman is at another level. When he puts a contract in front of you, it's done. He put me on another level as a coach.
First day on the job
I went to Johannesburg Stadium, and I was introduced to the two coaches who were there, Papi Khomane and Chris O'Loughin. The one had a squad on one half of the field and the other had a squad on the other half of the field. It was a big squad. And I said 'wow, so many quality players on the same pitch'. It was just mind blowing. I did realise that the quantity was a bit high. There were too many players. I can't remember the number, but it was far more than what I was used to. It was a bit of a challenge, but as time went on, it was reduced, and some players were released, and they did well at other teams. It was difficult for me because I did not have pre-season with the team and didn't understand the fitness levels of the players.
Who was in the team
The one player who stands out is Teko Modise. He had come from a season with SuperSport and then Pirates bought him. I took him from the wing and played him as a number 10. Teko went on to be the second top scorer that season after Excellent Walaza. Teko was also scoring goals for Bafana Bafana. I remember Carlos Parreira could not play without Teko Modise, even in friendlies. We were complaining and asking him to rest Teko in friendly matches against countries like Malawi and some of the smaller countries. I think Teko Modise stood out for me and Lucky Lekgwathi stood out big time. Unfortunately, Lucky had a knee injury and had an operation, so I did not have the great stalwarts of the game. When I arrived at Pirates, Senzo Meyiwa had only played one game for Pirates, but I pushed for him to play. I played 26 games with Senzo, and I knew that he was going to be a mega star. I am happy that I affected his life in positive way. We also had Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi. I used to go watch the development team games and I asked (Augusto) Palacios to promote some of the guys.
My assistant coach
I was without an assistant coach throughout my entire time at Pirates. It was extremely difficult, but we just could not find the right guy. But I don't blame anybody for that. I had a lot of support from management, and we made the top eight after a difficult season.
Who was the captain and why
Initially, it was Lucky Lekgwathi. Then he got injured and I decided to make Teko Modise the captain. Remember when Bafana Bafana played Italy (in 2007). We lost 2-0 in Italy. It was a friendly match. Teko was tired when he came back and we had to play a match against SuperSport United, who were on fire at the time. I thought the only way to inspire Teko was to make him captain. He was very surprised when I mentioned in the dressing that he was the captain that day and he went on to win man of the match and we beat SuperSport 1-0. I knew at Pirates that there was certain philosophy on who must be captain and who must not be captain. I bore the brunt of that. I had to explain why I made him captain and I apologized. It was an apology that was very sweet.
Best thing about the Pirates job
The best thing was the support from the chairman. He supported me 100 percent. What I could get, he said yes, and what I couldn't get, he said no. Simple as that. There were no promises that were made and not fulfilled.
Worst thing about the Pirates job
There was nothing that I can recall. As a coach, I thrive on pressure. I believe the more pressure there is, the more diamonds you create. That's what my father used to say. Pressure creates diamonds and I've always passed this on to players. It was a great experience with a lot of pressure. It was the most professional club I have been to.
Difficult conversation with the chairman
You know what's interesting about the chairman? He made every conversation easy because he would outline the situation without putting you under pressure and he would want a reaction about that. The thing about the chairman is that he documents everything. Three months down the line, he would tell you what you said three months earlier. He is a true professional and I did not have a difficult conversation with the chairman, as far as I can recall. He is very firm, but he is very fair. That's great leadership and that's why Pirates is a successful club. The way he conducts business is professional. There are no personal issues with the chairman. It's business and that's it.
Most memorable Soweto Derby
It was the one in Durban. It was all over the world and people got to know that it was one of the biggest derbies in the world, because it was witnessed by over a billion people around the world. It's the derby when Walaza scored a brace and Chiefs equalized late in the game to make it 2-2. It was a great game and we had youngsters on the pitch. I got calls from all over the world from friends of mine to talk about the game. It was the great game in my life.
Toughest moment
The biggest loss was losing Lucky Lekgwathi through injury. It was a big loss. I think we could have gone higher on the table if we had someone like him. But what I was happy about is that we gave a lot of youngsters and opportunities and that was also based on injuries and so on.
Who picked the team?
Yes, 100 percent. I've never had any influence at Pirates on who I must pick. Nobody can point a finger. I selected the team and took responsibility. There was a time when I got a lot of criticism from certain areas of the media who were questioning if I am xenophobic, but I never based my selection on who you are or where you come from. I selected the team on the basis that it's the best team at that moment. There was not one foreigner in the team and we won. We were superb. I got a bit of criticism there, but not once did anyone come to me at Pirates to say 'why are you choosing this team?'
Player I was unable to sign
Not really. I can't say there was a player who I was unable to sign. When I was there, Oupa Manyisa was signed and I was fully behind the situation. There was no one that I really wanted that Pirates said no to. Everybody that we agreed on and discussed, those players were signed. But it was difficult for me at the time because we had a big squad. I was there for one season, so I tried to manage it as best as possible.
Player who was most difficult to deal with
I don't regard as difficult. I think everyone has their own opinion and I respect people's opinions. Nobody was personal to me and no one did anything personal to me. We clarified situations and we moved. There is nobody that I can mention.
How the job opened up opportunities
I got so much publicity, and the chairman warned me about that. He said, 'You are going to get more publicity than the president'. When Pirates played, he would say the parliament stands still. The chairman was right. I got so much publicity, and it opened so many doors for me. It gave me a name. I had a little bit of a name as a player and then coach for Silver Stars, but it gave me a mega name in South African football when I coached Pirates.
Any regrets?
No regrets whatsoever. It was the greatest time of my life. It was a great moment when I won the Telkom Knockout with Silver Stars and then I was voted PSL coach of the season. We ended second on the log, but I think a bigger moment was when I went to Pirates. That season for me was special. I interacted with a lot of human beings that touched my life.
Last day on the job
It was one evening. I was called into a meeting with the chairman and Tim Sukazi. We were called in and we were told that we are parting ways amicably. It took five minutes, and it was done. There were no fights, no nothing. It was disappointing, but you've got to accept what happens in life. I started on a project, and I wanted to finish the product. All I said was that I am laying a foundation and sadly it was the end of the road, and I took it like a man. That's how life works.
Last meeting with the players
I did not get to have a meeting with the players to say goodbye. The season was over, and I was hoping to see them in pre-season. But it's part of the game.
Would you do it again?
Most definitely, there is no doubt about that.
Would you win the league with the current team?
When I look at the training facilities, the gyms and the money that is being invested now that I didn't have, it's world class. If I could have such facilities, I'd conquer South Africa, there is no doubt about that. I think I'd win the league. There is no doubt that Pirates is a league winning team. I don't care what anyone says. Pirates has the capacity.
