Ruud Krol admits lasting connection with Orlando Pirates as history beckons again

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Ruud Krol has admitted that his connection with the Soweto giants remains intact years after leaving South Africa, revealing that he still follows the club’s fortunes closely from abroad as they close in on another historic treble.

The Dutch football icon, now 77, spent three highly successful seasons at the helm of the Buccaneers, a period crowned by the club’s first-ever treble during the 2010/11 campaign.

That achievement remains one of the defining chapters in modern Pirates history, and the club is now on the brink of revisiting that feat, needing just one win from their final two league fixtures to complete another remarkable season.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on 947 in September, Krol reflected warmly on his time in Johannesburg and the relationship he continues to share with the club and its supporters.

“I heard that they haven’t forgotten me and of course I have not forgotten Pirates,” said Krol.

He added that distance has made it difficult to stay fully immersed in South African football, particularly the Premier Soccer League, but his interest has never faded.

“I’m always checking their results and how they are doing, but it’s difficult to watch PSL matches in Europe, which is a pity. I still hope that they do well.”

Krol also revisited the circumstances surrounding his departure, offering insight into a turbulent period despite on-field success.

“No, no, no, it was a conversation,” he explained. “When we lost to Kaizer Chiefs in December, they signed Julio Leal, the Brazilian coach. I knew about it, although they didn’t know that I knew. That created problems because I was winning matches and there were always talks that the chairman wanted to speak to me next week, but nobody came.”

Frustrated by the uncertainty, he eventually made a decision to move on. “I then said if nobody is coming, there are other clubs in the world besides Pirates.”

Looking back, the former Netherlands international believes that squad had the quality to achieve even more, particularly on the continental stage.

“We had a good defence, a strong midfield and attack. With that combination and compact defending, of course we could build a perfect squad,” he noted.

With Pirates now within touching distance of matching that treble-winning legacy, current coach Abdeslam Ouaddou stands on the brink of history, potentially becoming the first since Krol to guide the club to such a rare and celebrated achievement.