Sundowns appoint Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso

Published: Tuesday, 10 December 2024

Mamelodi Sundowns have appointed Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso to the helm of the side as they look to take their technical team in a new direction.

Cardoso replaces Manqoba Mngqithi, who had been brought back into the head coach role following the departure of Rulani Mokwena at the end of last season.

“It is a big privilege and I am happy to be here. This is a club with big heritage. I’m entering a club with a huge identity. I will do my best to make the people happy and represent them in the best way,” Cardoso told reporters on Tuesday.  

“I am a simple man, but I’m demanding. I want to win always. I want to win trophies, I want to contribute to the heritage (of the club). I want to be remembered among the good coaches from the club when I leave like Pitso Mosimane, Rulani, Steve Komphela and Manqoba.”

He joins Sundowns with three of his assistants Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo and João Araújo. Coaches Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene will remain as part of the Club’s new technical team.

Cardoso, 52, has previous experience at Rio Ave in Portugal, French side Nantes, Celta Vigo in Spain and Greek Super League outfit AEK Athens.

He was most recently in charge of Tunisian club Esperance, who he led to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final in 2023-24, where they narrowly lost 1-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly. Cardoso left Esperance in October.

Sundowns have started their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a pair of draws against Maniema Union (0-0, home) and AS FAR (1-1, away). They are next in action on Sunday when they host Raja Casablanca.

Cardoso will also prepare them for next year’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where they have been drawn alongside German side Borussia Dortmund, Brazilian outfit Fluminense and Ulsan HD from South Korea.