Orlando Pirates have responded to claims made by
former coach Kjell Jonevret in a Swedish publication last week on interference
in his duties as head coach at the Buccaneers.
The following statement that Orlando Pirates
Football Club is forced to make is sad and unusual.
Leaving Mr Kjell Jonevret’s
utterances on a Swedish television show, that were later repeated in various
media reports, to go unrebutted will constitute a dereliction of duty by the
Orlando Pirates Football Club management.
It is important to note
that it is Orlando Pirates policy and practice not to comment about the details
pertaining to the departure of its employees to avoid negatively affecting
their future employment prospects. This policy is captured in a confidentiality
clause on the employment contract and Employee Handbook the club enters into
with its employees. Mr Kjell Jonevret obviously respects neither the letter nor
the spirit of the contract and Employee Handbook.
In an interview with
Fotbollskanalen, Mr Kjell Jonevret refers to communication that was not very
good. He said: “It was difficult to make my voice heard. It’s a big club with
very many who want to be involved and make decisions. The political aspect is
extraordinary in the club.”
“You want so much to help
but you really cannot. I felt I could not continue as it was and felt it was
best I leave. So, I quit.”, Mr Kjell Jonevret added.
The truth is that Mr Kjell
Jonevret failed his probation and Orlando Pirates Football Club had informed
him both in a review meeting and in writing following which he tendered his
resignation.
The club would not want to
divulge further into Mr Kjell Jonevret’s shortcomings however, it is perhaps in
his concluding remark in the television interview that we can get an insight as
to his state of mind. Mr Kjell Jonevret said, “I still feel incredibly lucky to
keep up with my hobby. If any club is interested in me then I will listen to
them.”
It will help for him to
realise that when he was busy pursuing a hobby, all around him were hard at
work trying to return the club to its winning ways.
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