Here's why Josef Zinnbauer left Soweto giants Orlando Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has revealed the reason for his shock departure from the DStv Premiership club.

The former Hamburg and St Gallen boss quit the Buccaneers just ahead of the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

Management left assistants Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi in charge of the side and they remain in those positions, with the club currently in fifth place on the standings with six games of the season remaining.

Zinnbauer stated that he left due to personal reasons and has now said on MTN FC: "Mainly for family reasons. It is well known that my son had a serious accident so I just want to be with him more.

"My wife and our youngest son did visit South Africa, but it wasn't often. The flights are long and during the pandemic it was sometimes not possible to enter the country.

"I just wanted to be closer to my family again."

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Zinnbauer added: "It's difficult to talk about it. It's gotten a little better, but he's still far from recovered," he said.

"He is pushing forward in small steps. He was in a coma for a long time but has since woken up. I visited my son in the hospital during the international breaks."