Is he leaving? Ouaddou’s cryptic comments leave Pirates fans worried
Treble-winning Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted he is emotionally and mentally exhausted after guiding the club to a historic season and says he cannot yet guarantee his future at the club.
The Moroccan tactician led Pirates to their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium. The Buccaneers also lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies to complete a stunning domestic treble.
But despite the celebrations, Ouaddou says the pressure of leading one of South Africa’s biggest clubs has taken its toll.
Speaking after the match, the visibly drained coach revealed that he now needs time away from football before making any decisions about the future.
“For now, I cannot answer questions about my future,” said Ouaddou. “My only wish is to rest, spend time with my family and think carefully about what comes next.”
The former Moroccan international captain explained that coaching Pirates demands enormous mental strength because of the constant pressure and expectations surrounding the club.
“This job is very difficult. You need energy, psychology and motivation every single day,” he said.
Ouaddou praised the Pirates management for supporting him throughout the campaign, adding that discussions about the future will happen later.
“It’s not about contracts or money,” he stressed. “It’s about energy. You need power to lead a project like Pirates because millions of people expect success.”
The coach also appeared frustrated by criticism on social media, saying coaches are often judged harshly without supporters understanding the work done behind the scenes.
“Social media has become a popular court,” said Ouaddou. “People judge you every day, even when they don’t know what happens during the week. To deal with that pressure, you need strong energy.”