Mamelodi Sundowns have announced the appointment of Miguel Cardoso as the new head coach to take over from Manqoba Mngqithi.
Mngqithi’s last match was the 1-1 draw away from home against Moroccan side AS FAR in the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
The Tshwane giants are second in Group B with two points from their opening two matches. They are also at the top of the Betway Premiership after eight games. However, they were eliminated from the Carling Knockout Cup and MTN8.
Sundowns explained that the decision to introduce a new coaching technical team was driven by the recent unsatisfactory performance, notwithstanding the club’s board’s commitment to providing continued support to Manqoba Mngqithi and his technical staff.
MIGUEL CARDOSO ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW COACH OF MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The club announced Miguel Cardoso as their new head coach during a media briefing at Chloorkop on Tuesday.
According to Transfermarket, Miguel Cardoso is a 52-year-old Portuguese coach. He began his career as a youth coach in his native Portugal.
He has also worked at FC Porto as a youth and fitness coach. This was before he worked as an assistant coach for clubs such as Belenenses, SC Braga, and Sporting CP. Cardoso was an Academy manager at Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
He also had stints as manager at clubs such as Celta Vigo and AEK Athens. Until recently, Cardoso was head coach at Tunisian side Esperance, where Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana plays his football. Cardoso won the league title with the Tunisian giants and also qualified them for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Cardoso joins Sundowns with three of his assistants, Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo and João Araújo. The new technical team will also consist of Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene, who have both remained.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI RELIEVED OF HIS DUTIES AFTER DRAW AGAINST AS FAR
The club further announced that Mngqithi, Wendell Robinson and Romain Folz will have no other role in the team moving forward.
“Mamelodi Sundowns is thankful to Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson for their loyal services to the club over the years and wishes them everything of the best in their new endeavours,” reads the club statement.
“Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson will forever remain part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family. Mamelodi Sundowns is also thankful to Romain Folz, who recently joined the club.”
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