Mamelodi Sundowns sporting director Berg hits back at critics after Manqoba Mngqithi's sacking - 'Flemming did this, Flemming did that, but it doesn't work like that in this football club'

Mamelodi Sundowns sporting director Flemming Berg has detailed why the club had to part ways with head coach Manqoba Mngqithi and some members of his technical staff.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Tshwane giants officially announced the dismissal of the 53-year-old coach along with assistant coach Romain Folz and goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson.

With some Sundowns supporters voicing their discontent regarding the decisions made, including the release of Rhulani Mokwena since the administrator's arrival in 2022, Berg has clarified the rationale behind those choices.

"When it comes to responsibilities in this football club, this club is about collectivity, it's a collective effort. We bring a lot of different knowledge, opinions, and recommendations to the table and then a decision of this magnitude is taken by the board. That is how this club works," Berg told the media.

"I know there have been talks earlier about saying no, Flemming did this, Flemming did that, but it doesn't work like that in this football club. You will estimate a lot about this club if you think about it. This club is much bigger than that. 

"So, I take all the responsibility that I can but the most important thing to say here is that I would not buy the narrative of failure, not at all as it was said. The key to success for a company or a football club is always to find out when the curve will start going down," he added. 

"And then the investments have to happen before the curve starts going down and you can not be too late before it's actually very late, so I think we are in a better place and a lot of credit must go to the previous coaches because we are in a significant place."

Immediately following the firing of Mngqithi, Sundowns quickly introduced Portuguese Miguel Cardoso as their new coach. He brought along three technical staff members.

The former Golden Arrows manager lost the 2024 Carling Knockout final to Magesi FC and failed to win the MTN8 title this season.

Nevertheless, overall, he only lost four matches, winning 16 and drawing just two out of the 22 games since he assumed the role of head coach at the start of the 2024/25 PSL season.

Steve Komphela, who survived the dreaded axe, is likely to be in charge of Sundowns in their Caf Champions League clash with Raja Casablanca on Sunday as

Cardoso will have to wait for his SA work permit in order to sit on the bench on matchdays.

On the other hand, Mngqithi, who was once linked with AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs, will be hoping to find a new job soon.