Orlando Pirates new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has highlighted his plans for the upcoming season.
The 46-year-old Moroccan coach has made it clear that he wants to bring bold players into his squad who can fight for the team. The Buccaneers have won five trophies in the past three seasons and have been the team to beat in recent years, especially in cup competitions.
“I’d like to thank the board, the fans for the warm welcome, the staff as well, I’m honoured to be part of this institution,” Ouaddou told Pirates TV.
“It’s a club, but it’s an institution; when I see the fantastic organisation of the club, we can really say it’s an institution.”
“I will try to speak honestly and respect the brand, the football, and the fans as well, there is world between the organisation, the professionalism, the vision as well, I can say in Marumo Gallants, I had a good time, fantastic behaviour, mentality of players,” he said about the difference between Gallants and Pirates,” Ouaddou continued.
Ouaddou speaks for the first time since taking over at Pirates
“Nice people, fantastic fans as well, the fans [in Bloemfontein] fantastic, very friendly people, so I appreciated it a lot. But if we compare the two clubs, it’s too far away, the way I reached, or was scouted by Pirates, I was very surprised.
“I played in England and France, I’m not sure if I have seen the way these people are managing the club, getting exactly what they want, the board saw me four or five times before taking a decision; they don’t take anyone just like that,” he added.
“We are in a five-year process, we are at the end of the three years now, people need trophies and results now. When I put my foot here at Pirates, I’m not crazy, I know where I am putting my feet. The board knows what they want,” the former defender said.
Quaddou says his Pirates squad needs character. He said his job was to link different personalities to make a connection.
“I don’t want only nice boys! I don’t want only nice boys! I want some tough boys, I will have to manage them no problem.
Can Orlando Pirates win the league with Ouaddou?
I need different characters, some coaches they want only you know nice boys, they don’t make them problems. No, in the team you need every character, personality, the calm people, you need strong people, you need sometimes some crazy guys but it’s my job to link all these personalities, and to make the connection, you know to reach the target.”
What’s your take on the new Bucs coach?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
