Serb Vladimir Vermezovic was named coach of high-profile South African football club Orlando Pirates Friday two years after quitting arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The outspoken 50-year-old native of Belgrade succeeds Mozambique-born Roger de Sa, who quit last month citing exhaustion after 18 months at the helm.
Under former South Africa goalkeeper De Sa, Pirates reached the 2013 CAF Champions League final, losing 3-1 over two legs to Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.
They were also beaten in two domestic cup finals this season, and a fixture backlog means they trail league leaders Chiefs by 17 points halfway through the season.
Vermezovic left Chiefs in 2012 after a three-year spell, winning 58 and drawing 28 of 109 matches and lifting the League Cup trophy twice.
His reign was marked by tense relations with sections of the media, who regularly accused the Serb of being arrogant.
He famously responded to an interview request by saying: "I do not discuss tactics with the media. I only discuss tactics with people who understand tactics."
Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said Vermezovic would replace caretaker coach and former South Africa midfielder Eric Tinkler when he received a work permit.
