Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has found a new home in the Algerian Ligue 1 after he was officially announced as the new man in charge at JS Kabylie, succeeding Abdelhak Benchika, who resigned this month.

This comes after the German mentor was linked to a host of clubs in the African continent following his brief stint at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Wehda, where he was shown the exit door three months into the project due to a string of poor results.

Zinnbauer was subject to interest from Egyptian giants Zamalek SC, and Moroccan outfit MAS Fes, while a return to Raja Casablanca, where he won an invincible Botola Pro League championship and the Throne Cup last season, was reportedly on the cards.

The 54-year-old tactician will be tasked with restoring the club’s glory days after the Algerian giants finished in a dismal 14th place in the 2022/23 season, just three points above the relegation zone, before registering a seventh-place finish last campaign.

However, the Canaries are currently at the top of the Ligue 1 standings with 24 points amassed after 14 matches played ahead of their blockbuster clash away to Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouizdad, who have three games in hand due to their just-ended continental commitments.

This will provide Zinnbauer with a good platform to build on, with the two-time CAF Champions League winners in desperate need of their first league title since the 2007/08 season. Overall, they last won a trophy in the 2020/21 term, lifting the Algerian League Cup.

It remains unclear whether the ex-Bucs mentor will be in the dugout at the July 5 Stadium on Tuesday as JS Kabylie looks to maintain their top form and end their five-game winless run hoodoo against Belouizdad in the league.