Former Orlando Pirates defender Edward Motale has backed the club’s under-fire boss Eric Tinkler following the side’s seventh placed finish this season. 

This term was 45-year-old Tinkler’s first year in the role as the full-time head coach and it proved a disappointing season as the side failed to pick up a trophy, as well as failed to compete at the top of the Premiership standings.

Motale, however, feels it would be prudent to keep the former Bafana Bafana player on board.

‘I think Eric should be kept as the club coach for next season,’ Motale told SoccerLaduma.

‘He has done very well in his first year as the head coach.’

The 49-year-old believes sacking Tinkler would only serve to hinder the stability at the club, while he remains confident the side will soon begin to perform.

‘The team has started gelling and understanding him as the coach,’ he added. It won’t be good to disturb them at this point. Let him continue as the coach next season.’

Pirates came close to lifting the Nedbank Cup, but ultimately failed to do so losing to SuperSport United 3-2 in the final.