Manqoba Mngqithi is set to take over as head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns after the sacking of Rulani Mokwena, according to his agent Mike Makaab.
Mokwena was sacked just under a week ago reportedly due to a falling out with Sporting Director Flemming Berg.
Mngqithi has been at Sundowns for over a decade and was Pitso Mosimane’s assistant coach between 2007 and 2020 before Mosimane left to become head coach of Al Ahly.
When Mosimane left, Mngqithi, Rulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela shared the head coaching duties between them.
In October 2022, Mngqithi was demoted to the role of “senior coach” and Komphela to the role of “first-team coach”, while Mokwena took sole charge of the head coach position. Komphela resigned and left the club in July 2023 reportedly due to a tenuous relationship with Mokwena and wanting a “bigger challenge”.
Komphela has now been brought back by Sundowns and will be assistant to Mngqqithi, said Makaab.
“Manqoba was the Senior Coach assisting Rulani Mokwena,” he said on GagasiFM’s Extra-Time.
“At this stage, Manqoba will take over as the Head Coach, and again it will be clarified over the weeks and months to come, and Steve Komphela returns as the Senior Coach.
“It’s always been the case that they’ve worked incredibly well together, they have enormous respect for each other.
“I think it’s a very smart move by Mamelodi Sundowns Sundowns to bring Steve back.”