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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol has called on the media to cut Teko Modise some slack as the midfielder tries to rediscover his form.
The Bafana Bafana star has not been at his best since the Confederations Cup in June, with the press turning on the man they hailed the golden boy of South African football not too long ago.
Krol has rested Modise since the Soweto derby and this has further fueled talk surrounding the 26-year-old's future. However, unlike the media, the Dutch mentor is aware that a great player does not suddenly become a 'one-trick pony' or overrated after a drop in form.
In an exclusive with Football365.co.za, Krol agreed that even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard go through rough patches. He urged the press to stop shinning a spotlight on Modise, who needs to focus on his game and not what the papers are saying.
"The media here they make it from a mosquito to an elephant! And that is a pity for Teko because he knows that and he does his best and for sure Teko will be back in form like usual, because he is a fantastic player," Krol said.
"If you play three years of the highest level non stop in your career and then you don't play three or four games, people start to talk and write things, but the people don't know what they are talking about, which is a pity.
"I have not lost my confidence in Teko and I can guarantee you, Teko will be at his highest level again, like we've seen before."
Meanwhile, Modise's team-mate Dennis Masina told Soccer Week: "Teko Modise as long as he stays with the team and works hard, I think he will be back to his best. At the moment, I think he is tired because of all the travelling with the national team and then coming back to play, but he is still a good player. I still believe he is the best player."
The Bafana Bafana star has not been at his best since the Confederations Cup in June, with the press turning on the man they hailed the golden boy of South African football not too long ago.
Krol has rested Modise since the Soweto derby and this has further fueled talk surrounding the 26-year-old's future. However, unlike the media, the Dutch mentor is aware that a great player does not suddenly become a 'one-trick pony' or overrated after a drop in form.
In an exclusive with Football365.co.za, Krol agreed that even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard go through rough patches. He urged the press to stop shinning a spotlight on Modise, who needs to focus on his game and not what the papers are saying.
"The media here they make it from a mosquito to an elephant! And that is a pity for Teko because he knows that and he does his best and for sure Teko will be back in form like usual, because he is a fantastic player," Krol said.
"If you play three years of the highest level non stop in your career and then you don't play three or four games, people start to talk and write things, but the people don't know what they are talking about, which is a pity.
"I have not lost my confidence in Teko and I can guarantee you, Teko will be at his highest level again, like we've seen before."
Meanwhile, Modise's team-mate Dennis Masina told Soccer Week: "Teko Modise as long as he stays with the team and works hard, I think he will be back to his best. At the moment, I think he is tired because of all the travelling with the national team and then coming back to play, but he is still a good player. I still believe he is the best player."
