By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mamelodi Sundowns announced that Manqoba Mngqithi has been sacked, with former ES Tunis head coach Miguel Cardoso taking over.
Mngqithi took over the role of head coach at Sundowns following the shocking dismissal of Rulani Mokwena, who had guided the club to consecutive Betway Premiership titles.
The team struggled to replicate the dominance that saw them nearly go unbeaten in the league last season. They were knocked out by MTN 8, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Stellenbosch with a 2-0 aggregate defeat.
They were also eliminated from the Carling Cup following a 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Premiership side Magesi FC, a result that left many of the club’s loyal supporters deeply disappointed.
The Tshwane giants have also faced one of their worst starts in the CAF Champions League group stages. They played to a goalless draw in their opening match against AS Maniema Union at Loftus Stadium, followed by a 1-1 draw against Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat last weekend.
Alongside Mngqithi, Wendell Robinson and Romain Folz have all parted ways with the club.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Mweene and Steve Komphela will remain in the coaching setup and form part of Cardoso’s backroom staff.
However Fullview learnt Cardoso join Sundowns with his own technical team, comprised of Fabio Fernandez as the first assistant coach, Joaquim Pedro Azevedo as the second assistant coach, and Joao Araujo as the third assistant coach.
“The Sundowns board and management have decided to implement a restructuring and change in the coaching department,” The club boss Tlhopie Motsepe said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“Allow me to introduce the man who will be leading that technical team – he is a man who we believe has the right type of personality to lead a club like Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, he has the ability and he has the desire to take us to the highest level and to succeed as a football club.
Please allow me to welcome the new Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso.”
Sundowns are currently tied with Orlando Pirates on 21 points after eight matches, but sit at the top of the league standings due to a superior goal difference.