Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has explained how he and the rest of the technical team managed to change Orlando Pirates’ fortunes this past campaign.

The Buccaneers had a below par 2016-17 Absa Premiership campaign, where they finished 11th on the log. Under Sredojevic, however, the team was transformed and finished the 2017-18 season second on the log.

This improvement has been attributed to Sredojevic, Rhulani Mokwena, Benson Mhlongo and the entire technical team, who have turned the Bucs into one of the most entertaining teams in the league.

The Sea Robbers won 15 out of their 30 matches last season. The last time they accumulated more than 14 wins in a league campaign was during the 2011-12 season when they won the league title with 17 wins and seven draws under Augusto Palacios, and qualified for the 2013 Caf Champions League in the process.

In his interview with Soccer Laduma, the Serbian coach has explained how things have been turned around for the team.

‘We managed to turn things around by keeping ourselves within four crucial pillars of our club, where supporters were supporting us, being the driving force and injection of ultra-motivation to the team. Our chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, as a proven leader and father figure, led us with his management to provide all necessary conditions for harmony in effective functioning.

‘Our ultra hardworking players that were stretching themselves over all human and sports limits to respect the jersey and the badge by always giving their level best and, finally, us, the technical team, that were serving all necessary selfless contributions in sleepless nights and hardworking days to improve day-by-day. The best is yet and still very far to come from all of us,’ said Sredojevic.

With their performances this season, Pirates not only improved on last season’s finish but also sealed a return to the Caf Champions League.

Sredojevic was nominated for the PSL Coach of the Season award alongside league-winning Pitso Mosimane, as well as Nedbank Cup finalist Fadlu Davids. He ultimately lost out to Mosimane on the award but nonetheless received plaudits for his efforts.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix