Mamelodi Sundowns have swiftly appointed Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso as their new manager following the dismissal of Manqoba Mngqithi. Cardoso joins the reigning PSL champions fresh from a stint at Tunisian side Esperance, where he managed 14 wins in 26 games, achieving a 53.85% win rate. Despite leaving Esperance in fifth place on the league table, just two points behind the leaders, Cardoso has taken up the challenge of guiding Sundowns forward.
One of Cardoso’s immediate tasks will be addressing internal team dynamics, including repairing relationships with key players like Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau, who were reportedly sidelined during Mngqithi’s tenure. Additionally, he is set to introduce his tactical philosophy, which emphasizes game control and aggressive play. Cardoso has outlined his approach, highlighting the need for tactical awareness and technical quality. “We need to study the team and understand how to impose our game,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of controlling the four key moments in football—attack, defense, transitions, and set-pieces—while using possession effectively to disrupt opponents and create attacking opportunities.
A major focus for Cardoso will be on space utilization, both in creating and exploiting gaps in the opposition's setup. He stressed the need for a high level of intensity and immediate ball recovery when possession is lost. "I prefer players to make a three or four-second effort to regain possession rather than reorganizing defensively and then pushing forward again," he stated. Cardoso’s detailed and ambitious vision indicates that Sundowns are aiming to refine their dominance in the PSL. With his tactical acumen and a squad rich in talent, the Brazilians could become an even more formidable force under his leadership. The PSL might need to take notice—Mamelodi Sundowns are determined to elevate their game to new heights.