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FIVE in the race for Pirates job

Cape Town – Following the resignation of Vladimir Vermezovic, here are FIVE potential names who could take over as Orlando Pirates coach.

Read: Vermezovic jumps Pirates ship

Pirates confirmed the resignation through a statement released on their official website.

"We have accepted VV’s resignation. The stability of the team is always a pressing priority. Eric Tinkler will again assume the role of caretaker coach until the end of the 2014/2015 season," said club president Dr Irvin Khoza.

Here are five possible individuals who could take over the Buccaneers, according to Soccer Laduma.

The Insiders

Eric Tinkler – The former Bafana Bafana player has been in charge of the Sea Robbers before when Khoza gave Roger de Sa the boot and now finds himself in the same position as before (current caretaker coach). Tinkler knows the club inside out having been at the Sowetan giants for many years. Is it time the Iron Duke gives Tinkler a fair chance at being a head coach?

Lucky Lekgwathi – Has been part of the club for over a decade and Pirates have already mentioned that the 38-year-old is set to be part of the backroom staff as has been reported that Lekgwathi is in the running to take over William Okpara’s role as the team manager of the club. However, now with Vermezovic gone Lekgwathi could now hang up his boot for a permanent spot in the technical area.

The Outsiders

Ruud Krol – the 65-year-old spent three seasons at Pirates and brought nothing but smiles to the fans faces and engraved some much need success at the time having won the treble in his tenure. Will Khoza call up an old hero for a new era?

Muhsin Ertugral – The Turkish native has had several stints in the Absa Premiership having coached Ajax Cape Town on three different occasions while mentoring Pirates’ oldest foes, Kaizer Chiefs in two different spells. Ertugral has expressed his desire to return following his surprise resignation in February from the Urban Warriors citing "family matters" as his reason. Could one of PSL’s most controversial and entertaining coaches return to the South African fold?

The Former Stalwart

Benni McCarthy – “No matter where I am in the world or what job I’m doing, my ultimate dream is to one day take over the job at Pirates – to take the club back to the very top, to a place where Chiefs cannot even touch us. The way it used to be. The way it should be,” said McCarthy. The 18th area ace has completed a coaching course after his retirement but is it too early to call on Benni?

Who do you think should be Vladimir Vermezovic’s successor? 

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