Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained what motivated him to commit his future to the Brazilians after signing a contract extension.
As first reported by FARPost in June, the Portuguese tactician extended his stay at the Tshwane giants by a season, and his current deal will expire in June 2027. Speaking to Masandawana legend Teko Modise in an interview, Cardoso opened up about his future at the club.
The contract extension came after he delivered the CAF Champions League title to Sundowns at the end of the 2025/26 season. It was a feat which ended a decade-long wait for the continental crown.
Even after finishing the season empty-handed on the domestic front, Sundowns still trusted Cardoso to continue with them. The Champions League title seemed to mask the fact that Masandawana surrendered their Betway Premiership dominance for eight consecutive seasons to rivals Orlando Pirates.
‘I FEEL RESPECTED’: CARDOSO SHARES WHY HE EXTENDED HIS SUNDOWNS STAY
Since arriving at Chloorkop in December 2024, Sundowns fans have at times expressed frustration with Cardoso and called for his sacking. But the club stuck with the coach, and Masandawana chairman Tlhopie Motsepe recently said that being the Champions League losing finalists in the 2024/25 season made them see potential in Cardoso to continue with him.
“I’m absolutely excited to be at the club. I have no idea whatsoever more than my head wants to really go along with the club as far as we came together,” said Cardoso.
“I have a long-term contract; I’m very happy, and I feel so pleased as well as respected. You know, for a coach, the most important thing is working with people who really want you.
“That’s what I told my agent: to renew our contract now in summer. That was a one-year extension. The reason will always be as long as you want me and give me love, I’ll be with you.
“I’ve been in environments that have been very aggressive for coaches, where no one was respected. And I feel I have been respected as a man. I feel I share the values of the family and I’m very thankful for that.”
FAMILY FACTOR IN CARDOSO STAYING AT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Just before joining Sundowns, Cardoso was at Tunisian giants Esperance, who felt losing the 2023/24 Champions League final to Al Ahly was not enough to keep the coach. But the 54-year-old feels the love he is getting from Sundowns is also being felt by his family.
“My family also feels respected. There is a clear understanding and common ground on settling the way we are. That obviously makes me comfortable, despite, as you may imagine, that I’m 8000 KM away from home,” continued the former Cela Vigo coach.
“My father and my mama are no longer young people. I sometimes have doubts about whether I’m doing the right things because it’s not about my salary now. It has nothing to do with that; it’s just the love for the game.
“Mostly it’s the level of the game because I could be working in Portugal at a club next to my house. It’s really the love and the different experience. I always say that I love the difference, and I don’t want to live the same life for many years.
“I want to be challenged, and here I feel a lot of challenges, and I also feel that coaching Sunsowns allows me to experience a lot of context because we travel a lot, we play in different competitions, and we go everywhere in the world.
“So, if I were working in Portugal, I would probably be in the same restaurants, same people, same house, same streets and here I’m a man of the world, and I love being the man of the world.”
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