Pitso Mosimane has opened up on his shortest stint as head coach after parting ways with Al-Wahda just four months at the helm.
Mosimane joined the UAE Pro League side in June 2023, a few days after parting ways with Al Ahli Saudi.
Speaking in a virtual interview exclusive to SAFJA members, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly mentor revealed why he had to part company with the four-time UAE Pro League champions.
When Mosimane joined Al-Wahda, he was excited by the club’s vision and he was ready to guide the side to the promised land given his extensive experience of the beautiful game.
The 59-year-old mentor took charge of 10 games at Al-Wahda, winning six and suffering four defeats.
In those 10 matches, his side managed to score 18 goals and conceded 11 goals in the process.
THE REAL REASON PITSO MOSIMANE LEFT AL-WAHDA TOO EARLY
Despite Mosimane being fascinated by the Al-Wahda’s vision at first, the coach divulged that there was a little bit of alignment as far as their vision was concerned.
“I must say the vision was good because it’s a team that hasn’t won the league in 13 years. That’s have been the challenge and that’s what dragged me to join the team,” said Mosimane.
“So, I told myself there’s an opportunity to win a league here. This was simply because this is a big team that hasn’t won the league for 13 years. We were all aligned in that vision. That was something we were all looking forward to working on.
“But, there are principles and alignment that must be followed whether it’s short-term, mid-term, or long-term vision plans. Also, there must be a way aligned with those short-term, mid-term, or long-term plans within that space.”
Mosimane continued: “I think there was a little bit of alignment from what I think and from what the team wants and what they have been doing in the last 13 years when they haven’t won the league.
“So, I realised we were not going in the right direction. it’s not if the coach is right or not. You know, before we agree we all sit down.”
‘IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE RESULTS’
Mosimane went on to state that the decision to part ways with Al-Wahda was not about results but about both parties going a bit parallel.
“But to be honest, it’s obviously not about results because we have won the last two games. So, when we are not aligned on how we execute things, that led to us being a little bit parallel.
“So, I thought as early as the games were still at six that is better we all don’t waste each other’s time. We agreed to part ways to say you want to drive the vision doing this and we want to do it the other way. Therefore, I had to stay on my own principles. We need those principles to achieve our goals to be successful.
“We are happy with each other, but when we differ on how we should do things, the best thing to do for both sides is to part ways.”
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