sportskeeda
Miguel Cardoso, the newly appointed coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, is unfazed by the historical challenges faced by European coaches at the Tshwane club. He is focused on embracing the future rather than dwelling on previous setbacks.
The 52-year-old Portuguese manager has stepped into the role at Chloorkop following Manqoba Mngqithi’s short five-month tenure, which was characterized by inconsistent performances and disappointing outcomes in both local and continental cup tournaments.
Cardoso marks the first European coach for Sundowns since the likes of Johan Neeskens, Hristo Stoichkov, and Henri Michel, all of whom were let go after not achieving the desired success with the team.
With a strong emphasis on a positive future perspective, the former Esperance de Tunis coach expressed that he is unconcerned with the failures of those who came before him and is eager to establish his own legacy akin to his successes in Tunisia.
“I wasn’t aware of the challenges that European coaches faced at this club, but just as I didn’t realize that no foreign coach had ever reached the final of the CAF Champions League in Tunisia, I succeeded in doing that. We also celebrated victories like an 8-0 win in the Champions League, something that had never occurred before,” Cardoso explained.
“In last year’s Champions League group phase, we recorded an unprecedented level of ball possession during our home game against ASEC Mimosas. I don’t linger on the past; my focus is directed towards the future. I thrive outside of my comfort zone and am determined to enhance the team’s performance,” he added.
After previously knocking Sundowns out of the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season and ultimately losing the title to the record African champions Al Ahly, Cardoso is advocating for a change in mindset as the team enters a new chapter.
“We need to move ahead and avoid being anchored by past events. Even if we don’t know the historical milestones, we aspire individually while working together to achieve those aspirations. We are driven individuals who are committed to reaching our goals,” he stated.
“Each day, we will strive to turn these ambitions into reality. This club possesses a rich legacy that we honor and cherish, and we aim to contribute to it. We intend to create our own story by upholding the club’s standards and remaining true to ourselves; thus, success will follow naturally.”
Cardoso is preparing for his debut match as he leads Masandawana against the unbeaten Raja Athletic Club, champions of the Botola Pro League, in the third matchday of Group B in the CAF Champions League at Loftus Stadium on Sunday (15:00).
