Pirates to name Middendorp as new coach?

Orlando Pirates will today name their new coach who will guide the club in the new soccer season, which starts on August 7.

German Ernst Middendorp, formerly with Asante Kotoko and currently head coach at Accra Hearts of oak, is the hot favourite to be named the new Bucs coach.

The announcement was delayed after Pirates' chairman Irvin Khoza travelled with the 2010 World Cup Preparatory Committee to Switzerland for a meeting with the Fifa officials.

Khoza is expected back in the country on Wednesday night.

"The announcement will be made before the end of the week," said Pirates brand manager Zodwa Khoza yesterday.

"The new coach will be paraded when we play against Sable de Batie of Cameroon during the Confederation Cup in Orkney [tomorrow] night.

"The new coach will also be in Mmabatho with the team for the Vodacom Challenge on Sunday. He will be watching the two matches from the stands."

Pirates have been without a permanent coach since the departure of Zimbabwean Roy Baretto to Manning Rangers late last year. In the absence of a permanent coach, Pirates appointed Augusto Palacios as a caretaker coach until the end of last season.

Palacios will return to his job as head of the development programme in the new season following the appointment of a permanent coach.