Ruud Krol Remembers: No Forgetfulness For Orlando Pirates

Ruud Krol Still Keeping Tabs on Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ former head coach, Ruud Krol, has revealed that he still closely follows his former club despite living abroad. The 77-year-old Dutch football legend enjoyed a hugely successful three-year spell with the Buccaneers, guiding them to their first-ever treble during the 2010/11 season.

Krol’s stint with Pirates was marked by significant success, and now the team is on the verge of repeating that historic achievement. They need just one win from their remaining two league matches to complete another memorable treble-winning campaign.

In an interview with Robert Marawa on 947 in September, Krol reflected on his time at the Soweto giants and admitted that he still keeps a close eye on their progress. “I heard that they haven’t forgotten me and of course, I have not forgotten Pirates,” he said. “I’m always checking their results and how they are doing, but it’s difficult to watch PSL matches in Europe, which is a pity. I still hope that they do well.”

Krol Opens Up About His Departure from Pirates

Krol also spoke about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Pirates, despite leading the club to unprecedented success. “No, no, no, it was a conversation,” he explained. “When we lost to Kaizer Chiefs in December, they signed Julio Leal, the Brazilian coach. I knew about it, although they didn’t know that I knew. That created problems because I was winning matches and there were always talks that the chairman wanted to speak to me next week, but nobody came. I then said if nobody is coming, there are other clubs in the world besides Pirates.”

Assessing Pirates’ Chances in the CAF Champions League

The former Dutch defender believes that Pirates had all the ingredients to go on and win the CAF Champions League the following season. “We had a good defence, a strong midfield and attack. With that combination and compact defending, of course, we could build a perfect squad,” Krol added.

Abdeslam Ouaddou could become the first Pirates coach since Krol to win a treble if the Buccaneers win any of their remaining matches this season.

Comparing Krol’s Success to Current Coaches

Krol’s achievements with Pirates have sparked discussions about whether he was better than current coaches Ouaddou and Riveiro.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on 947