Miguel Cardoso: Mamelodi Sundowns appoint Portuguese coach after sacking Manqoba Mngqithi

Mamelodi Sundowns have fired Manqoba Mngqithi, replacing him with former Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso.

This follows a difficult start to the season by Masandawana and Cardoso becomes the first European coach at Sundowns since Johan Neeskens.

Mngqithi lasted just five months at the helm after replacing Rhulani Mokwena.

"Mamelodi Sundowns today announced the appointment of Miguel De Azevedo Cardoso as the new Head Coach of the Club with immediate effect," Sundowns announced in a statement.

"The introduction of the new coaching technical team was necessitated by the recent unsatisfactory results despite the commitment of the Sundowns Board to give Manqoba Mngqithi and his technical team an opportunity to lead the Club going into the future.

"Coach Miguel was the head coach of Espérance Sportive de Tunis and reached the finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League.

"He joins Sundowns with three of his assistants namely, Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo and João Araújo," the Brazilians added.

"Coach Miguel, has coached in Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, and Ukraine at some of the biggest Clubs such as Porto, Braga, Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo, AEK Athens, Nantes and Shaktar Donetsk.

"Coaches Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene, will remain as part of the club’s new technical team.

"Mamelodi Sundowns is thankful to Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson for their loyal services to the club over the years and wishes them everything of the best in their new endeavours," the club continued.

"Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson will forever remain part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family. Mamelodi Sundowns is also thankful to Romain Folz who recently joined the club.

"The players will meet the recently appointed coaches when they return to training on Wednesday."

Mngqithi has been given the boot at a time when the Brazilians are leading the Premier Soccer League race with a slim lead over Orlando Pirates.

But draws in their two Caf Champions League games as well as the Carling Knockout defeat to struggling Magesi sealed Mngqithi's fate.

They also missed out on the MTN8 where they bowed out at the semi-final stage after losing home and away to Stellenbosch.

Sundowns' next game is the hosting of Raja Casablanca on Sunday and that is expected to be Cardoso's first match in charge of the Brazilians.

It is to be seen if the Portuguese will last and go to the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup with Masandawana.