Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised the club’s impressive backroom structure, revealing that the level of support available at the Soweto giants reminds him of the professional environment he witnessed under legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.

Ouaddou’s remarks have highlighted the growing importance of modern football technology, tactical analysis and specialist support staff in helping clubs compete at the highest level.

The Bucs coach expressed his admiration for the club’s extensive technical team, which he says consists of approximately 18 to 19 staff members working behind the scenes to support the players and coaching department.

“In Pirates, we have 18 to 19 staff. It’s like in Europe,” Ouaddou said, drawing comparisons between the South African club’s operational structure and the sophisticated football environments found across Europe.

According to Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates’ backroom team plays a crucial role in monitoring player performance, assessing physical conditions and providing information that can influence important decisions during matches.

The use of data and live player tracking from the stands allows members of the technical team to observe developments on the pitch and relay valuable information to the coaching staff.

This support can help the head coach determine when substitutions are necessary, identify players experiencing physical difficulties and make tactical adjustments based on the information available.

In modern football, these responsibilities have become increasingly important as teams seek to maintain intensity, reduce injury risks and gain a competitive advantage over their opponents.

For Ouaddou, having a sizeable and specialised support team provides an important resource for making informed decisions throughout demanding domestic and continental campaigns.

The comparison with Arsène Wenger, who became synonymous with Arsenal’s tactical evolution and emphasis on professionalism, further underlines Ouaddou’s appreciation of Pirates’ organisational structure.

Wenger's time at Arsenal helped establish the club as one of England's most recognisable football institutions, with a strong focus on player development, sports science and modern training methods.

Ouaddou’s comments suggest that Pirates possess a level of technical support that he considers comparable to the standards he encountered in European football.

For the Buccaneers, the challenge will be to translate these behind-the-scenes advantages into consistent performances, silverware and success across competitions.

His assessment also highlights how modern football increasingly depends on collective expertise, with success extending beyond the players and head coach to the specialists working tirelessly away from the spotlight.

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