Tanzania's national team coach Marcio Maximo has emerged as a contender to replace Ruud Krol in the Orlando Pirates hotseat.

Krol's position at Parktown is seen as untenable following a mediocre season in the Premier Soccer League that saw the Soweto giants finish fifth in the league - some 13 points adrift of champions SuperSport United.

Speculation is rife that Pirates boss Irvin Khoza will fire Krol if he fails to lead the Buccaneers to cup glory. For his part, the Dutchman remains defiant and is adamant that he will see out the remaining year on his contract.

However, Tanzania's Citizen newspaper claims that the Pirates top brass are set to travel to south east Africa to offer Maximo, whose contract with the Tanzanian Football Federation expires on July 28, the opportunity to come to South Africa and coach the PSL outfit.

"Already he (Maximo) has received offers from several countries and clubs who want him to take over, but has yet to make final decision," a source told the daily paper.

"Orlando Pirates desperately want to hire him and will soon land to discuss the deal with him."

"Maximo has completely transformed our (Tanzanian) soccer — that's why many countries and clubs want him," added the insider.

Maximo has a good track record with Tanzania, helping them to their highest ever FIFA ranking and qualifying the Taifa Stars to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in the Ivory Coast last year.

But the 'Sea Robbers' face a battle to acquire the services of the Brazilian tactician, who is also being linked with a possible move to Ghana's Hearts of Oak and an Israeli side.

Reports in South Africa suggest that current South African national team assistant coach Pitso Mosimane is also a candidate for the Bucs job, but only if the South African Football Association decide against installing him as Carlos Alberto Parreira's replacement after the 2010 World Cup.