Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer is under extreme pressure to turn things around at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Wehda after his side lost yet another match this past weekend. 

Zinnbauer’s charges suffered a 3-2 defeat to Damac FC at home in matchday 10 of the Saudi top flight, as Guinea international Francois Kamano scored a brace to pile on the misery of the Knights of Mecca. 

The German mentor has had a tough start to life in the oil-rich kingdom, failing to replicate his success in Morocco which saw him clinch an invincible Botola Pro League title and the Throne Cup with Raja Athletic Club last season. 

Al-Wehda is on an eight-game winless run in the league, with their last victory dating back to August, in the early stages of Zinnbauer’s tenure. Overall, they have lost six matches and drew the other three in addition to the solitary win. 

The string of poor results has left them languishing in the relegation zone, in 17th place with six points, while it also extends their winless streak to 10 matches consisting of seven defeats and three draws across all competitions. 

Moreover, Zinnbauer’s troops were knocked out of the King’s Cup in the round of 16 by Al Qadisiya after progressing from the round of 32 with a penalty shootout triumph over second-division side Al-Faisaly. 

Now, whispers echoing around in the Gulf region are growing louder suggesting that the 54-year-old’s time in charge of the Makkah-based club may be drawing to a premature close with the hierarchy desperate for a quick change of fortunes. 

According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Mayadeen, the club executives have held talks with several candidates to take over from Zinnbauer, including their ex-coach Luis Sierra, and Saudi native Saad Al-Shri. 

The Chilean tactician Sierra won two domestic cup titles with Al Ittihad between 2016 and 2018, but Al-Shehri,44, is believed to be the front-runner to take over the reins until the end of the ongoing campaign. 

Having survived the axe with four points in 13th last season, it remains to be seen whether the club will retain Zinnbauer beyond the FIFA international break. Their next match is scheduled for 23 November against Al-Taawoun on home soil.