Newly appointed Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso wants to be remembered as one of the club's 'great coaches' like 'Pitso Mosimane, like Rulani Mokwena like Steve Komphela, like Mr Manqoba'

Tuesday afternoon saw Mamelodi Sundowns announce a major shake-up in their technical team.

Coach Manqoba Mngqithi was relieved of his duties with immediate effect, making way for Miguel Cardoso.

The club's leadership, represented by chairman Tlhopie Motsepe, explained the need for a new direction to meet the team’s ambitious objectives.

Cardoso, a Portuguese coach with a wealth of experience, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.

He emphasized values such as integrity and excellence as the foundation of his approach.

His tenure begins with high expectations, particularly in delivering success on the continental stage.

“Thank you to the Motsepe family, to the persons present, who are represented by the chairman obviously. To himself, thank you very much. To the sports director, Mr Flemming Berg, and to all the Masandawana family,” Cardoso told the media;

“It’s a real pleasure to be here to be the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, and to be among you in South Africa, a country with such a huge history, culture, and nature, that will not make me, as a professional but also a man, grow a lot.

“I feel not only happy but a big privilege by being among you, so thank you very much for that, he added.

“Obviously it’s clear that Mamelodi Sundowns, a club with 54 years of history, representing Mamelodi reason, is already a club with a big heritage. Heritage is history but it’s [also] very important because it’s the point where we come from."

“We need to understand the roots of the club so that we understand the people and the expectations of the people and the identity of the club. I’m at a club with a huge identity and I will give my best not only to the happiness of the people but to represent them in the best way," he added.

“To represent them is to go along with the objectives of the club, the values of the club. I’m a person of values, we discussed a lot of values and values also speak about the identity of the club.

“I had already the privilege to speak about it with the chairman, values like excellence, integrity and honesty will be the base of our work and will be in our heads at every moment. Regarding the relations we want to establish at the club, with everybody in general and also the players, and also with our fans and yourselves," he continued.

“I’m a man of the people, I like to connect with people, I’m a very humble and simple person but also at the same time I’m very demanding because I know what we need to do to win on a regular basis because that’s the demand we have – it is to win trophies, contribute to a new era of the club, contribute to the heritage that one day will be even bigger so that’s the objective.

“So that one day, and hopefully the day is very far, one day I will also be to remembered among great coaches Pitso Mosimane, like Rulani [Mokwena], like Steve Komphela, like Mr Manqoba, I also want to leave my name among you – first as a good person, second as a good coach and third as a winner. These are our objectives at this club.”

Miguel Cardoso faces the monumental task of maintaining Sundowns’ dominance in the domestic league while capturing the elusive Caf Champions League trophy.

A strong start is imperative, as Sundowns’ leadership and supporters demand immediate results.

The pressure to perform is immense, given the club’s legacy and ambitions.

Cardoso's ability to implement his philosophy swiftly will be key to earning players' trust.

With maximum points on the line, his first test will set the tone for his tenure.

Cardoso must secure the players’ trust and adapt quickly to the team's culture.

Navigating a mid-season change requires immediate results to calm tensions.

His first major test is against Raja Casablanca, where a victory is crucial.

Meeting the club's lofty expectations will demand resilience and tactical acumen.

Connecting with fans and players alike will be essential for long-term success.

If his work permit is finalized in time, Cardoso should be on the bench against Raja, with a convincing win potentially signaling a new era for Sundowns.