sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns has officially introduced their new head coach, Miguel Cardoso, who has eagerly laid out his detailed tactical and mental strategies aimed at enhancing the club’s performance.
The Brazilians have revealed significant modifications within their coaching staff. Chairman Thlopie Motsepe and Sporting Director Flemming Burg announced the termination of Manqoba Mngithi’s contract and the appointment of Cardoso as his replacement.
Alongside the Portuguese coach, the two Downs officials engaged in discussions with the media at Chloorkop.
Cardoso, who brings experience from African football, replaces Mngqithi after a tenure of 10 months at Moroccan club Esperance De Tunis, a club involved in Sundowns’s exit from the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season.
Regarding his insights on Sundowns, the coach stated, “Certainly, I was already aware of the team. We needed to conduct extensive research last year to prepare for the two semi-final matches in the Champions League. It was only through this thorough assessment that we could tackle the difficulties we encountered, which is part of a coach’s responsibility—to stay updated on the best teams in Africa.”
The former Celta Vigo manager indicated that his coaching philosophy would begin with assessing the squad he has at his disposal, and he has already started this evaluation, sharing his first impressions.
“We needed to carefully evaluate the team and the players, and it is clear that the players we possess are technically advanced and align well with the style of play a coach needs to control the game. Having quality players is essential,” Cardoso remarked.
On the subject of playing style, Cardoso expressed ideas that may resonate favorably with some Masandawana fans, emphasizing the significance of purposeful ball movement—a possible homage to coach Rulani Mokwena’s earlier tactics.
“That is my objective. I aim for a team that can control games, and to achieve this, we must be robust in all four game phases. We need to know how to use the ball efficiently, but fundamentally, you must have the ball to not just maneuver it, but also to guide the opponent into areas where we can effectively launch an attack,” the 52-year-old elaborated.
Moreover, he highlighted the necessity of team cohesion to achieve his ambitions on the field, asserting that no individual player will take precedence over the collective effort during his tenure.
“We must be strong in our defensive recovery and proficient in our ability to reorganize. This calls for unity and dedication because no player will be greater than the team while I’m at the helm—believe me, no one,” the new Downs coach emphasized.
The Pretoria side begins this new chapter with great expectations after parting ways with a coach who presided over only 19 matches across all competitions, achieving 13 wins, four losses, and two draws. If previous performance is any guide, the new head coach faces high stakes for his tenure.
