DailySun
Mamelodi Sundowns has welcomed their newly appointed coach, Miguel Cardoso, who has quickly seized the chance to share his comprehensive tactical and mental strategies intended for integration at the club.
The Brazilians have announced significant changes within the club’s coaching framework. Chairman Thlopie Motsepe and Sporting Director Flemming Burg have officially announced the dismissal of Manqoba Mngithi while simultaneously introducing Cardoso as his successor.
Accompanied by the Portuguese coach, the two Sundowns executives held a media briefing at Chloorkop.
Cardoso, who brings considerable experience in African football, replaces Mngqithi after a 10-month tenure at Moroccan club Esperance De Tunis, which influenced Downs’s exit in the last season’s CAF Champions League semi-finals.
In discussing his familiarity with Sundowns, the coach said, “Certainly, I was already familiar with the team. We needed to study it thoroughly last year in preparation for the two semi-final matches in the Champions League. It was only through this in-depth analysis that we could tackle the challenges we faced, which is an essential part of a coach’s responsibility—to be well-informed about the premier teams in Africa.”
The former Celta Vigo manager noted that implementing his coaching philosophy would commence with assessing the players available to him—a process he has already begun alongside his initial reflections.
“We needed to carry out a comprehensive review of the team and the players, and it is evident that our squad possesses technical skills that align with the requirements of a coach aiming to control matches. Having talented players is crucial,” Cardoso emphasized.
Concerning playing style, Cardoso expressed views that might resonate positively with some Masandawana fans, placing a high value on purposeful ball movement—likely nodding to the tactics of former coach Rulani Mokwena.
“That is my goal. I aim to assemble a team capable of dominating matches, and to accomplish this, we must be strong in all four phases of play. We need to understand how to utilize the ball effectively, but fundamentally, one must have possession to maneuver not only the ball but also the opponent to create optimal spaces for initiating an attack,” articulated the 52-year-old.
Additionally, he underscored the importance of teamwork to fulfill his ambitions on the pitch, asserting that no individual will overshadow the collective under his leadership.
“We must be proficient in our defensive transitions and our ability to reorganize. This demands unity and dedication because under my direction, no player will hold greater significance than the team—trust me, no one,” the new Downs coach asserted.
The Pretoria club enters this new chapter filled with optimism after parting ways with a coach who oversaw only 19 games across all competitions, securing 13 wins, suffering four losses, and recording two draws. If past performances are any indication, the new head coach has little room for error.
