Pitso Mosimane: Decoding the boxes he ticks before signing on the dotted line

Pitso Mosimane is revered for his tactical acumen, astute leadership, and unparalleled ability to transform teams into continental powerhouses.

However, beyond his on-field brilliance lies a discerning eye for selecting the projects he embarks upon.
Before inking a deal, Mosimane meticulously evaluates each opportunity, ensuring alignment with his vision and values.

A set of well-defined criteria guides the Kagiso-born coach’s decision-making process, each box serving as a crucial determinant in his acceptance or rejection of a coaching role.

The boxes, meticulously crafted over decades of experience, encompass various aspects of the project, ensuring a holistic assessment before committing to a new challenge.

Here is what Pitso Mosimane, whose trophy-laden career has seen him take to the podium 18 times in three countries, looks at before accepting a project.

PITSO MOSIMANE’S LONG-TERM VISION AND SUSTAINABILITY

The five-time PSL champion, who recently cut ties with UAE’s Al Wahda, is not merely interested in short-term gains. He seeks projects that embrace a long-term vision for sustainable success.

‘Jingles’ values opportunities that prioritise building a solid foundation, nurturing talent, and establishing a winning culture that can endure over time.

DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns are a perfect example. They had not won a league title in five years when he arrived. After eight years in charge, he guided them to five PSL titles and several domestic and continental trophies.

“You can’t expect to build a media house in one day,” Mosimane said at a virtual press conference organised by the South African Football Journalists’ Association on Monday. The same [applies] in football. You can’t appoint a coach and say next week, we’re winning. What if next week we draw? After we win two times and then we lose, then you start saying…. You’re results-based, you don’t have a vision, you don’t have a plan.”

PITSO SHARED AMBITION AND ALIGNMENT OF VISION

Pitso Mosimane is drawn to projects that possess a shared ambition, aligning with his unwavering pursuit of excellence. He seeks opportunities where his coaching philosophy can flourish, fostering a high-performance culture and a relentless drive for success.

“There must be a common vision….,” he responded when asked what boxes a project should tick by FARPost. “What’s your vision? What do you want as a team? When do you want to turn it around?
You need to say what you want and how far you want it.”

STABILITY

A stable and harmonious club culture is paramount for the former Bafana Bafana mentor. He seeks environments that foster unity and a shared commitment to the club’s vision. A stable environment, free from internal conflicts and distractions, is essential for his coaching methods to take root.

He used Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta as an example of a coach whose superiors created a stable environment. “Arteta would have never survived. He lost four games in a row. In the Gulf, you’re out; in South Africa, you’re out. But look at where Arsenal is today – top of the log. Last year, they came second.

“Do you have a plan, or are you results-based every week, and people complain? People will always say their opinion; supporters love the club. They’ll say what they want, and it’s bragging rights.”

The 59-year-old coach said it’s essential to maintain a sense of calm within the team despite criticism from outside the team. He emphasised that internal unity among players, management, and the board is crucial for success.

“So they’ll complain [the fans] and criticise, it’s normal, it’s part of the game. You can’t worry about external noise. External noise will always be there. Internal, which is the players, the management and the board, have to have quietness when the dressing room is quiet.”

INVEST IN QUALITY PLAYERS

His passion lies in unlocking the potential of his players and transforming individuals into a cohesive and formidable unit. He gravitates towards projects that offer a talented pool of players eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the team’s collective success.

The three-time CAF Champions League winner underscored the crucial role of player quality in determining the success of any football club. He stressed that acquiring top-tier talent is paramount for achieving sustained excellence on the pitch.

“By the way, we have to buy players. Tell me any team that has been successful without buying players. Even Ajax Amsterdam, who work on young players, buy Benni McCarthy for a lot of money.

“They buy Steven Pienaar for a record fee in South Africa. I think you know the figure in South Africa at that time. They buy the best players. And they buy the best young players. They buy Luis Suarez, they buy Ibrahimovic. The Ajax Amsterdam that we say is strong with the youth; they buy those players.”

SOUND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Sound youth development plays a crucial role in Mosimane’s assessment. He envisions working with a team that has a well-established youth academy and a comprehensive scouting system in place to identify and nurture promising young players.

“If you want to work with the youth, you must be strong in youth development. Any top young player who’s 15 or 14, you have to buy him before another team buys him. If there’s a 15-year-old who is very good, and you don’t want to pay R1 million for that player because he’s 15. Okay, don’t buy him, then Madrid will buy Vinicius Jr at 17 and 18 and Rodrygo. They’re running the team now.”

The founder of the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools programme is a staunch advocate for the importance of quality coaching in the development of young footballers. He firmly believes that providing youth with access to knowledgeable and experienced coaches is a crucial step in nurturing their talent and fostering their passion for the sport.

“Do you have the right structures in your youth programme? And do you have top coaches at youth? Do they love the game? And do they love football? This thing is complex, but you have to give it time. You can never be successful overnight.”

THE IMPACT OF PITSO MOSIMANE’S SELECTIVITY

Mosimane’s meticulous approach to project selection has undoubtedly contributed to his remarkable success.

He has won 18 trophies in South Africa, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. By carefully evaluating each opportunity, he ensures that he aligns himself with projects that resonate with his coaching philosophy, ambition, and values.

This selective approach has allowed him to consistently elevate teams to new heights, cementing his legacy as one of Africa’s most decorated coaches.

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