Orlando Pirates fans who chanted “you must go” and threw missiles at Vladimir Vermezovic on Tuesday got their wish yesterday when the coach handed in his resignation following weeks of pressure.
Vermezovic faced vehement protests from Bucs fans calling him to be axed after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.
Less than 24 hours later the club announced the coach had stepped down from his post, just three days before the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
Assistant coach Eric Tinkler will take charge of the team, just as he did last season when Roger de Sa quit.
“We have accepted VV’s resignation,” Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said yesterday in a statement.
“The stability of the team is always a pressing priority. I will sit down with VV in an exit interview to hear him out. I naturally wished he stayed longer and had more success at Orlando Pirates. I wish him well into the future.”
The Serbian’s appointment on Valentine’s Day was a shock to many after he failed to win the league with Chiefs.
Pirates struggled for consistent form under Vermezovic in the league this season. He chopped and changed his starting line-up like someone who did not know the players.
Vermezovic, who won the Nedbank Cup in May, could not provide answers after the club’s lacklustre display against Maritzburg and he did not seem interested in continuing the job when asked if his job is on the line.
“I am doing my job in my way and if it is not enough, then somebody must decide,” said Vermezovic. “We made two silly mistakes. To concede in the second minute and the 45th minute is unacceptable and I cannot explain it. We were not as strong and aggressive like usual. I do not know what the reason is.”
Pirates fans may have developed a reputation for being fickle but they were entitled to be unsettled by what they saw on Tuesday.
VV jumps the Pirates ship after fan furry grows
Vermezovic faced vehement protests from Bucs fans calling him to be axed after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.
Less than 24 hours later the club announced the coach had stepped down from his post, just three days before the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
Assistant coach Eric Tinkler will take charge of the team, just as he did last season when Roger de Sa quit.
“We have accepted VV’s resignation,” Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said yesterday in a statement.
“The stability of the team is always a pressing priority. I will sit down with VV in an exit interview to hear him out. I naturally wished he stayed longer and had more success at Orlando Pirates. I wish him well into the future.”
The Serbian’s appointment on Valentine’s Day was a shock to many after he failed to win the league with Chiefs.
Pirates struggled for consistent form under Vermezovic in the league this season. He chopped and changed his starting line-up like someone who did not know the players.
Vermezovic, who won the Nedbank Cup in May, could not provide answers after the club’s lacklustre display against Maritzburg and he did not seem interested in continuing the job when asked if his job is on the line.
“I am doing my job in my way and if it is not enough, then somebody must decide,” said Vermezovic. “We made two silly mistakes. To concede in the second minute and the 45th minute is unacceptable and I cannot explain it. We were not as strong and aggressive like usual. I do not know what the reason is.”
Pirates fans may have developed a reputation for being fickle but they were entitled to be unsettled by what they saw on Tuesday.
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