Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević has turned down an approach from the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] to become Warriors head coach ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, FARPost has established.
The Serbian tactician has instead opted to return to Ethiopian Premier League giants Saint George SC, 16 years after his first spell with the club.
He is set to be officially unveiled on Friday, August 14, in Addis Ababa. ZIFA had hoped to lure the 56-year-old to take the Warriors’ substantive coaching role, which has been vacant since April, when Romanian Marian Marinica resigned after just five months at the helm.
Sekhukhune United youth coach Kaitano Tembo has been holding fort on an interim basis. With the 2027 AFCON qualifiers set to kick off in September 2026, the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] is stepping up efforts to appoint a substantive coach.
FARPost understands that the Serbian “Micho” Sredojević had been made a top favourite on a list of high-profile coaches being considered for the job, with his vast experience in Africa counting in his favour.
MILUTIN “MICHO” SREDOJEVIĆ CHOOSES SAINT GEORGE SA
However, Micho has chosen to take a long-term path in Ethiopia, having previously been snubbed for the coaching job in Zimbabwe when Marian Marinica was appointed towards the 2025 AFCON finals.
“I love Zimbabwe, I love Zimbabwean football; however, at this point that is mission impossible. Tomorrow [Friday], I will be announced as head coach on a long-term basis at one club in Africa,” Sredojević told FARPost.
As it stands, Belgian Tom Saintfiet, Spanish coach Ramon Catala, German Torsten Spittler and Luis Goncalves of Portugal remain on the shortlist for the Zim job.
Saintfiet previously had a brief and controversial stint with the Warriors in October 2010 before being deported for work permit issues. In recent times, he has led Gambia and Mali.
Interim coach Tembo is also being considered for the substantive head coach role. Tembo was in charge when Zimbabwe featured in the Four-Nation Unity Cup tournament in London, United Kingdom, in May.
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