Mamelodi Sundowns has welcomed their newly appointed coach, Miguel Cardoso, who has quickly seized the moment to share his comprehensive tactical and mental philosophies for implementation at the club.
The Brazilians revealed significant changes within the club’s coaching framework. Chairman Thlopie Motsepe and Sporting Director Flemming Burg officially announced the dismissal of Manqoba Mngithi while concurrently presenting Cardoso as his replacement.
Accompanied by the Portuguese coach, the two Downs executives held discussions with the media at Chloorkop.
Cardoso, who possesses extensive experience in African football, takes over for Mngqithi following a 10-month tenure at Moroccan club Esperance De Tunis, which contributed to Downs’s elimination in the previous season’s CAF Champions League semi-final.
Reflecting on his familiarity with Sundowns, the coach remarked, “Of course, I was already aware of the team. We had to analyze it thoroughly last year in anticipation of the two semi-final matches in the Champions League. It was through that in-depth evaluation that we could tackle the challenges we faced, which is part of a coach’s responsibility—to remain well-informed about Africa’s elite teams.”
The former Celta Vigo manager indicated that implementing his coaching philosophy will commence with assessing the players at his disposal—a process he has already started while offering his initial impressions.
“We needed to conduct a detailed analysis of the team and the players, and it’s evident that the players we have are technically skilled and suit the style of a coach looking to dominate matches. Having talented players is vital,” Cardoso emphasized.
Regarding playing style, Cardoso shared sentiments that might resonate positively with some Masandawana fans, underscoring the importance of intentional ball movement—a potential nod to former coach Rulani Mokwena’s tactics.
“That is my goal. I wish to have a team capable of controlling games, and to accomplish this, we must be solid in all four phases of play. We need to understand how to utilize the ball effectively, but fundamentally, one must have possession of the ball to maneuver not just the ball but also the opponent to create optimal spaces for launching an attack,” articulated the 52-year-old.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of teamwork to fulfill his ambitions on the field, asserting that no individual will overshadow the collective under his leadership.
“We need to excel in our defensive recovery and in our ability to reorganize. This requires unity and commitment because under my management, no player will be more critical than the team—believe me, no one,” the new Downs coach asserted.
The Pretoria club embarks on this new chapter filled with hope after parting ways with a coach who managed just 19 games across all competitions, achieving 13 victories, enduring four losses, and recording two draws. If past performance serves as any guide, the new head coach has little room for error.
