Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has spoken candidly about the possibility of returning to Golden Arrows, a club he feels indebted to, as it played a significant role in his coaching career.
Mngqithi’s exit at Chloorkop was abrupt, announced on the same day that Miguel Cardoso was unveiled as the club’s new head coach on Tuesday.
The decision to part ways with Mngqithi and his technical team stemmed from a series of disappointing results that saw Sundowns fall short of expectations across multiple fronts.
A shock defeat to Betway Premiership newcomers Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final was a significant blow to the club’s ambitions. This setback, coupled with a missed opportunity to clinch the MTN8 title and a sluggish start to their CAF Champions League campaign, ultimately led to the Tshwane giants’ decision to change the coaching department.
Following Mngqithi out of the exit door are his assistant coaches, Romain Folz and Wendell Robinson. However, Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene will remain on the Sundowns coaching staff.
Mngqithi leaves Sundowns at the summit of the log standings in the league, level on 21 points with Orlando Pirates but ahead on goal difference.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI OPEN TO GOLDEN ARROWS RETURN
With both the head coaching positions at Richards Bay FC and Golden Arrows currently vacant, Mngqithi’s name has naturally emerged as a potential candidate. Richards Bay recently parted ways with Brandon Truter, while ‘Abafana Bes’thende’ saw Mabhuti Khenyeza resign from his position, as per reports.
However, in a statement released on Thursday morning, Arrows implied that they had not officially received Khenyeza’s resignation, noting that he has been absent from work for a week.
In an interview on MSW, Mngqithi expressed a deep sense of gratitude towards Arrows, acknowledging the KZN side’s pivotal role in launching his coaching career in the SA elite league.
However, the experienced coach says he is open to offers from any interested teams. “Any club that makes an approach for my services, I have to listen and hear what they bring,” said Mngqithi. If the project is interesting and you see that they know what they want, then you look at it very closely.
“But I will always be open to assisting Golden Arrows in my life because I still feel indebted to that club. They made me the person that I am. They gave me an opportunity at a time when no team in South Africa could take that risk.
“You know, when the team is number 16 on the log, and they only have 12 points after 15 matches, and they say we want Mangoba to become the coach, not even an interim coach, to become the head coach of the club because we believe we can save us. That confidence is something that I will forever be indebted to because nobody would ever give away R50 million status to a coach who has never coached in PSL.
“I had been an assistant probably for one and a half years, and they gave me that opportunity. For that, I will always be indebted, and I will always want to help whenever the possibility comes. But I would have to listen to the projects in front of me.”
Meanwhile, Mngqithi declined to comment on whether Arrows has contacted him, stating, “No, I wouldn’t want to disclose right now.”
RELATED STORY: Manqoba Mngqithi reveals how he found out about his sacking