Motsepe Confirms Upcoming Contract Talks With Cardoso After CAF Glory
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has confirmed that the board will hold crucial discussions with head coach Miguel Cardoso regarding his long-term future at the club.
Cardoso’s contract details have remained strictly confidential since his arrival in December 2024, when he succeeded Manqoba Mngqithi. Despite the secrecy surrounding his terms, the Portuguese tactician’s stock has never been higher after he guided the Brazilians to a historic CAF Champions League title on Sunday.
By conquering the continent, Cardoso permanently etched his name into Chloorkop lore. He joins legendary tactician Pitso Mosimane, who delivered Sundowns’ first coveted star back in 2016.
The triumph provides sweet redemption for Cardoso. Last season, during his debut campaign, the Brazilians fought their way to the final but ultimately suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC.
Stabilizing the Ship
The former ES Tunis head coach originally arrived in Pretoria during a period of severe turbulence. Sundowns had just suffered a shock Carling Knockout exit at the hands of Magesi FC, and their CAF Champions League group-stage campaign was rapidly veering off course.
Cardoso instantly stabilized the heavyweight squad. He secured the domestic league championship last term before falling just short in Africa. This season, the roles reversed beautifully; while rivals Orlando Pirates snatched the Betway Premiership crown, Cardoso delivered Africa’s ultimate club prize.
‘The Coach Must Stay’ — Fans State Their Verdict
“It is funny, the previous question was about whether Sundowns have finally won people over through Cardoso,” said Motsepe.
“I arrived about 40 minutes before the team, and I spent some time with the supporters. Apart from asking when the team was arriving and whether they could see the champions and the trophy, almost all of them asked, ‘Where is the coach?’ Some even instructed us that ‘the coach must stay’.
“Maybe that answers the previous question regarding how he has fared in terms of affection among Sundowns supporters.”
Motsepe emphasized that Cardoso has already fulfilled the massive mandate laid out by the board when they brought him to South Africa.
“When we brought the coach to the club, there was an objective and a goal we wanted to achieve. We wanted to ensure the team reached another level and accomplished something very special, and we have done that — we have achieved something special,” he said
“Now the question moving forward is: can we do it again? Can we continue writing this very special story that we have created this season?
“I believe the club is moving in a positive direction, and we can continue building from here. Over the next few months, we will have discussions.
“But definitely, the discussions are already in a far more positive position than when the coach first joined the club.
“I think that is as far as I can say for now, out of respect for the coach and, of course, the discussions we are going to have as a board.”
A Record-Breaking Tenure in Tshwane
The Portuguese tactician, who celebrates his 54th birthday on Thursday, has now enjoyed the longest managerial stint of his career right here in South Africa.
His tactical consistency has turned Sundowns into a ruthless football machine. Over his 84 matches at the helm across all competitions, Cardoso has maintained an elite win percentage, steering the club to 53 victories, 19 draws, and just 12 defeats.
