Johannesburg - Despite not having produced the results this season, Augusto Palacios has not been released from his role as Orlando Pirates’ head coach due to the performances, but rather as a result of his ill-health.

Pirates chairperson, Irvin Khoza, said that they have decided to give him a rest following the spinal surgery he underwent last week. Khoza said that when Palacios fully recovers, he will return to the team's development structures.

"He was at one time hospitalised and then later he had an operation and that is what necessitated our decision to give him time out. You know his health is more important than just football and that's why we have agreed that he rests.

“It is not about the current results because if you look at the league log we are just three points behind the log leaders. So results have nothing to do about this. He can't sit for more than 30 minutes and we have to think about that as well," Khoza concluded.