The entire SA Football fraternity waited with baited breath
to see who would be unveiled as the new Orlando Pirates Head Coach, and when
Kjell Jonevret was announced there seemed to be an instant liking to the man.
Whether it’s his Swedish charm or his ability to make everyone around him feel
at ease, what is clear is that we have a knowledgeable Coach is undaunted by
the task before him.
It is no secret that the Buccaneers have found it difficult
of late with a bad run of form which has left the Team winless so far in 2017.
Jonevret, took it all in stride with his positive approach, he managed to take
a seemingly insurmountable task and created his own silver lining.
We caught up with the Swede for what will be his first of
many interviews with Orlandopiratesfc.com
Orlandopiratesfc.com (OPFC.com): Coach. Welcome on board the
Bucs ship and all of the very best for what’s left of the season.
Kjell Jonevret (KJ): “Thank you, thank you very much”.
OPFC.com: Coach, you are virtually an unknown in these parts,
coaching one of the biggest Teams in the country, what’s your take on that?
KJ: Look I know everybody is curious to know more about me,
about who I am and that is understandable. I also came here without knowing
much about the country or Orlando Pirates but when I looked at this team I
found I was drawn here and I guess we will walk this journey of self-discovery
together. But what I must mention is Pirates is big club that has achieved a
lot and is internationally renowned so ofcourse it is an honour and a privilege
that the Chairman has entrusted me with Coaching the Club.
OPFC.com: How was the preparation for your first match?
KJ: “We had about a week to prepare or three training
sessions, obviously, there isn’t much we could have done in that short space of
time but we tried to focus on the defence because we had to tighten things at
the back”.
“But the bench for me is very important, especially when you
are coming into a new team, new players and new environment. I have to admit I
have been talking to them a lot on the players’ fitness, performance and form
and they have weighed in with their support. I have also been talking to the
players too on the how we have to play and just seeing what works”.
OPFC.com: Your first time on the bench?
KJ: “It was a little different, the players behaved
differently to what I’m used to with the singing in the bus and in the locker
room; I liked it. Even the supporters in the tribune were fantastic. I tried to
look at them as much as possible”.
“But when the game starts it’s pretty much like a normal
game, I was looking for details in our play, things like how do we play. I had
mixed feelings after the match, I was happy with a few things that we worked on
defensively. I thought it looked better than I expected because we only had
three sessions to work together.”
“I think our problem was that there was no flow in the
attack, even if we create enough chances to score more than one goal in the
match. There was no fluidity so I had mixed feelings over the fact that we
didn’t lose but we didn’t win either. I would love to win the first match but
it was an ok start”.
OPFC.com: How do you hope to turn things around for the
Team?
KJ: “We spoke about the results they were getting in the
past because there are some really good football players in this group but many
of them are low on confidence at the moment. The only thing I can do for now is
to remind them why they love football, this is a fun sport and they are
supposed to enjoy it. I told them to just go out and play for the love of the
game”.
“You saw the last twenty minutes where they gave a little
bit extra and just ran and played, we looked really good. Directly after the
game we discussed a bit of the match because there were a lot of positives to
take from their performance, we also showed them video analysis of the match
today and showed them the negatives and the positives from the match and we can
only grow and improve from that”.
OPFC.com: What do you hope achieve this season?
KJ: “I want to win, I hope to win and I can only do that if
the players follow the plan. We will have a game plan for every match and
situation we just need the players to believe in themselves. It is difficult
but every day we give them positive reinforcement we focus on improving the
positives and eliminating the negatives and I know we will get there as a
unit”.
“This is a great team with a great legacy we still have a
chance, all is not lost yet and we will surprise people at the end. It is
pointless to speak of end of season positions right now but I can promise you
this much we will fight to improve our current situation”.
OPFC.com: What is your Coaching philosophy or methodology?
KJ: “I think every house must have a good foundation and in
football it’s important to have a defence that you can trust.
“We have to try to be well organised when we don’t have the
ball but I also like a passing game, not too many long balls. I like to have
the ball on the ground and chasing it. I want to win but it is also important
to play attractive, pacey football. But the base has to be an organised defence
we can’t continue leaking goals so we have to start there”.
OPFC.com: You have your toughest challenge in the upcoming
Soweto Derby, how are you coping with the pressure?
KJ: “As a Coach you always have pressure but at the same
time it’s what we are doing this week that will hopefully give us positive
results over the weekend”. For me personally it’s fantastic, I have watched the
Derby a few times because sometimes they broadcast it even in Scandinavia so
it’s going to be great to be part of this one”.
“Kaizer Chiefs have been really good this season and are
probably favourites going into this one whilst Pirates find themselves in
unfamiliar territory of being under dogs. But the Derby is a special game,
anything can happen, it has nothing to do with form or log standings. The Derby
has its own life and I can only marvel over the possibilities but for me there
is no pressure over the result because so far this season has been the better
team and I think the pressure is all on them to deliver”.
OPFC.com: That’s great Coach. Before we release you, is
there anything you would like to say to the Ghost?
KJ: “I felt there was not too many supporters on Saturday
but the ones that were there were fantastic. I just want to tell them that they
have an important role to play. It’s going to be important for the Club,
players and supporters that we do this together now. The 12th man can sometimes
be the most important player on the team and we really need them now”.
OPFC.com: Thank you once again for your time Coach and all
of the best for the Soweto Derby
KJ: Thank you!
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