Champions Sundowns name Miguel Cardoso as new coach

Mamelodi Sundowns have named Miguel Cardoso as their new coach, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi after a sudden but not surprising change in leadership at the club on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old is from Portugal and joins after taking Esperance of Tunisia to the African Champions League final last season, upsetting Sundowns with home and away victories in the semifinals.

𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌

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

Head our website to read the full release! 📲… pic.twitter.com/zTUNP7cp0Q

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) December 10, 2024

Cardoso was sacked by Esperance in October after poor results at the start of the new season.

Cardoso has had extensive experience in Europe, having twice coached at Rio Ave in his native Portugal plus at Nantes in Ligue 1, Celta Vigo in LaLiga and AEK Athens in Greece.

He took over at Esperance last January and led them successfully through the group competition and knockout stages, and into the Champions League final while also winning the Tunisian title.

Mngqithi’s departure comes just five months after he was moved back up to the head coach role to replace Rulani Mokwena.

But he had been under constant pressure after losing both legs of the MTN8 semifinal to Stellenbosch, before losing a league game to Polokwane City and the Telkom Knockout final against Magesi.

Two points from Sundowns’ opening two games in the Champions League group stage did not help his cause.

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Miguel Cardoso has been officially unveiled as Mamelodi Sundowns' new head coach.#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/6Ny4aauYIC

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 10, 2024