Mamelodi Sundowns has made a significant change to its coaching staff, parting ways with Manqoba Mngqithi, Wendell Robinson, and Romain Folz.
The decision, though surprising, was driven by the club’s desire to maintain its high standards, after missing out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout this season.
Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe explained, “Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, for the longest time, has been a team that has based itself on playing attractive, entertaining, and successful football – it’s the reason why we wear the colours that we wear, and why we have earned the nickname ‘Bafana Ba Style,'”.
“But alongside that identity of football is a mentality that the club has cultivated across the years and previous seasons, which is based on our motto to always strive to be the best, set high targets for ourselves, and always strive to achieve as an ambitious an aspirational football club.
“In recent months, our team has struggled to match that type of ambition and meet the high standards we’ve set for ourselves, so we share that the board and management have decided to implement a restructuring and change in coaching department.
“This was not an easy decision. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and Coach Wendell Robinson were two coaches that have been with the football club over 22 years combined, and were with the club through it’s most historic and successful periods, and were incredible servants. But we needed to go another direction.”
Mngqithi and Robinson, long-serving members of the Sundowns family, were thanked for their contributions. However, the club felt a change was necessary to rekindle its winning mentality.
To fill the void, Sundowns has appointed Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso. Motsepe expressed confidence in Cardoso’s ability to lead the team to new heights.
“Cardoso possesses the right qualities to take Sundowns to the next level,” Motsepe stated. “He has the experience, ambition, and tactical acumen to achieve success.”
The club also emphasized its commitment to developing local coaches. Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene will remain with the team, providing valuable experience and continuity.
“Mr Miguel Cardoso is a man who we believe has the right type of personality to lead a club like Mamelodi Sundowns, he has the ability and the desire to take us to the highest levels, and succeed as a football club,” he added.
“We [make these changes] knowing that, as much as we’re moving forward, as a football club we have a commitment to developing African and South African coaches and players.
“So, although we do this change and restructuring in leadership, we will be holding onto Coach Steve Komphela and Coach Kennedy Mweene, who will serve as part of this new technical team.”