The departure of Jose Riveiro from Orlando Pirates has left fans speculating on who will take over the hot seat. One of the names at the top of that list is Rulani Mokwena. The highly-rated mentor has discussed a potential comeback to the Sea Robbers.
The 38-year-old recently parted ways with the Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca following a series of unfavourable results and is yet to be attached to any other team.
Speaking on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa show, Mokwena admitted the possibility of returning to Pirates, a team that he once coached and has great admiration for its chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza.
“Of course, I would consider it (joining Pirates),” Mokwena said.
“It’s a big club and it’s still got people that are very close to me and to my heart.
“I’m very fond of Dr (Irvin) Khoza and he will always have a special place in my heart.”
Mokwena served as the head coach of Pirates for a short period in August 2019 after Milutin Sredojevic’s exit, having originally joined as his assistant, but was soon replaced by Joseph Zinnbauer following a series of disappointing results.
He then joined forces with Pitso Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he achieved major success and was later appointed sole head coach, winning the inaugural African Football League and the club’s seventh league title in succession.
Several clubs are reportedly gunning for his signature, including newly crowned CAF Champions League champions Pyramids and another Egyptian team, Zamalek.
He confirmed that Zamalek had approached him, but he withdrew upon learning that his former mentor, Pitso Mosimane, is also being considered for the job.
“Well, I didn’t hear from them (Zamalek) after I had said I heard that coach Pitso is also in the running for the position. And my relationship, my respect for him, would never allow me to compete with Coach Pitso for a coaching job. It just wouldn’t sit well with me. So, I pulled out and I said I would rather that they give it to Coach Pitso.”
The former Sundowns mentor also confirmed his plan to return to coaching as soon as the start of the new season. It remains to be seen which team he will be leading.
“I will be back coaching soon, this season,” he confirmed. “There’s nothing confirmed but for sure I will be back, I can’t sit without [coaching]. He concluded.