FC Lokomotiv Moscow have explained why they opted to hire Fadlu Davids as the Russian Premier League team’s assistant coach.
Lokomotiv unveiled Davids on Tuesday to reunite with his former boss at Orlando Pirates, Josef Zinnbauer.
Lokomotiv sports director Thomas Zorn told the club’s website that the German requested the recruitment of the former Maritzburg United coach.
SIMILAR PHILOSOPHY
Zorn Zinnbauer indicated that Fadlu Davids shares his football philosophy.
“Any head coach needs assistants to realize his vision of football, so at the request of Josef, we invited Fadlu [Davids], who took over the position of assistant head coach,” Zornis said.
He said Zinnbauer and Davids understand each other from the time they worked together at Pirates for a year-and-a-half.
“They have a common view of football, the requirements for training and playing processes,” Zorn added.
“Also, in addition to Fadlu [Davids], at the moment, we are considering the option of inviting another Russian-speaking specialist to Josef’s assistants to expand competencies and strengthen the coaching staff.”
DAVIDS FEELS HONOURED
The former South African coach has since said he was honoured to be granted the opportunity to work for the giant club.
“It’s a major honour being a part of such a huge institution of Russian football. Lokomotiv Moscow is well known amongst South African fans as it was the club of the late Jacob Lekgetho many years ago. I am here to be part of the future success of the club, and it all starts today,” he said.
Zinnbauer resigned from the Buccaneers last season and went on a sabbatical.
His resignation prompted Pirates management to promote Davids to a co-coach role at par with Mandla Ncikazi.
However, Pirates released Davids in June this year whereas Ncikazi survived the purge.
Davids’s playing career included clubs such as Maritzburg, Avendal Atletico, Silver Stars and Vasco Da Gama in Cape Town.
The 41-year-old eventually went into management after retirement.
The former Golden Arrows coach is now working for the Soweto giants as Spaniard mentor Jose Riveiro’s deputy.
