Legodi will serve as second in command to new Swedish head coach Kjell Jonevret in a technical set-up that still has Benson Mhlongo as the other assistant.
The Africa Sport Youth Development boss makes a return to PSL coaching four years after he was relieved of his assistant coach duties at Mamelodi Sundowns, just a month after the appointment of Pitso Mosimane.
“We all know that soccer players are not machines, they are human beings that require nurturing and an ear, especially when things go off the rails,” says Khoza in justifying the appointment of Legodi.
“Optimal functioning of a team requires technical fitness and prowess but it also requires that we get energies in the team to work in consent and that requires a steady hand. Someone who has been in the players’ position, someone with trust and respect. Someone with a word of encouragement. A good listener… a developer of courage and confidence. Harold Jazzy Queen Legodi is the closeness to the embodiment of the characteristics that I have just mentioned,” explains Khoza well aware of the recent allegations of player indiscipline in his squad.
A shining star as a footballer during his playing days at Mamelodi Sundowns, the 54-year-old also had a brief stint in the First Division with Roses United after his departure from Sundowns and was once in charge of the Tsetse Flies at the Danone Nations Cup.
At Pirates he is at a club that he has enjoyed close ties with since the establishment of his academy just over a decade ago, with Patrick Phungwayo, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Roger Majafa, Mpho Makola, Oupa Manyisa, Joseph Molangoane, Lehlogonolo Masalesa, Siphamandla Sangweni and Menzi Masuku amongst the list of players that went through his hands before joining The Bucs.