After the shock news of Rulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns parting ways, social media has been abuzz!
Here's a look at how fans and the players reacted...
Read: Khune's New Sporting Journey Amid Uncertain Future
The story
Mamelodi Sundowns and head coach Rulani Mokwena are preparing to go their separate ways before the start of the 2024/25 season.
The PSL Coach of the Season won the DStv Premiership with a record points total and the inaugural African Football League, falling short in two cup finals against the Buccaneers and a semi-final exit in the CAF Champions League.
SABC Sport were the first to report on Tuesday morning that Masandawana and Rulani are discussing parting ways just 12 months after signing a four-year contract.
It was revealed that the centre of this shocking news coming from Chloorkop is down to the broken working relationship between the coach and sporting director, Flemming Berg.
?? 91 games
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) July 2, 2024
?? 60 wins
?? 9 losses
?? 22 draws
Sundowns statement to confirm @SABC_Sport story this morning imminent.
Rulani Mokwena no longer the coach. pic.twitter.com/Q9ue7Ko6x7
The duo reportedly have contrasting visions with the club's transfer strategy — with the national broadcaster also disclosing that the two have had difficulties pulling in the same direction for a while.
When the news broke, Rulani instantly became a trending topic on Twitter/X, as fans tried to make sense out of the 37-year-old departing Downs despite a successful 2023/24 season.
Read: Chiefs-Bound Nabi Bids An Emotional Farewell To AS FAR
Take a look at some of the reactions to Rulani leaving Sundowns:
91 games
— OREEFA?? (@__reefa__) July 2, 2024
60 wins
9 losses
22 draws
What a brilliant man. Jokes aside, Rulani's greatness can never be questioned in the PSL.
I don't care who is coming in. Rulani's Sundowns was unplayable. His obsession with Pep and his Man City was a real problem. It was like giving a laboratory and a budget to an extremely introverted scientist.
— Nabel'iCruz Control (@Sgadi28) July 2, 2024
Rulani was breaking records while folks in the boardroom at Chloorkop were drafting a job advertisement for his position ?? https://t.co/gjkae9eU7F
— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) July 2, 2024
Love for Rulani from Lorch, Zungu, Modiba and Ronwen Williams! ??????#Sundowns#africanfootball pic.twitter.com/iphlVUayX7
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) July 3, 2024
This thing is simple: Sundowns had to choose between Rulani Mokwena and Flemming Berg, and they chose Berg. Now, the new guy will have to dance to Berg's tune. #Sundowns #RulaniMokwena #FlemmingBerg
— Gegz (@mphog33) July 3, 2024
Brother, I won't lie to you, Rulani Mokwena's departure from Mamelodi sundowns really hurts.
— Road Man (@NOR_SCOUT) July 3, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns neh...Lol they haven't even announced the departure of Rulani Mokwena, but their players are already updating us. Akuna order laphana... pic.twitter.com/FlFdHgyuTl
— Dlamini, Sibalukhulu (@LwazmeroDlams) July 3, 2024
Rhulani has failed this season, no need to sugarcoat it
— CIC (@PatBafo) June 1, 2024
Here's a compilation video of the farewell posts shared by the Sundowns players for Rulani:
??Sundowns players pay tribute to Rulani Mokwena.
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) July 3, 2024
Images by Williams, Mokoena, Mudau, Modiba, Mvala, Zwane and Lorch. pic.twitter.com/E7WXztiJ4u
More online reactions:
Rhulani has been working with people who didn't want him back and called him a traitor
— ?KING CALO? (@SCALO91) July 2, 2024
I can bet, Pitso ddnt tell him this, he only knew about it after listening to the interview Pitso did with Marawa
I wish @StellenboschFC hires Rulani Mokwena and let the games begin . Like it or not Rulani is good and has been one of the most successful coaches at Mamelodi Sundowns. so he knows the secret just give him the purse and he will do the rest
— Kolobe (@2410452a8151494) July 2, 2024
Rulani Mokwena was coach of the season but still got sacked??
— Papa LJ?? (@SenzokuhleMkhi4) July 2, 2024
Football is such a cruel sport and what happened to the 4 years he asked for??????#Sundowns #rulanimokwena pic.twitter.com/eErW6EG7Y6
Rulani Mokwena was Unplayable.
— Sir Jay (@JM_Moyana) July 2, 2024
The end pic.twitter.com/Qg8i73V7Y7
Thank you coach Rulani Mokwena ???? you served us well???? pic.twitter.com/GFSUH9ybrg
— Saint (@Lenyora_17) July 2, 2024
What could've made Rulani Mokwena leave his job at Mamelodi Sundowns?
— Zikhali Bandile (@ZikhaliBandile) July 2, 2024
Why didn't the management pursue him to stay because his philosophical football is out of this world, and he left a remarkable victory momentum with the team
All the best to his future endeavors.
Now that Coach Rulani has left Sundowns. We will show him support like Coach Pitso if he goes outside the Country.
— Mopheme???? (@sefothakarabel) July 2, 2024
Son of the soil???????? We never hated him. We just hate Sundowns. pic.twitter.com/wcGn5WfLju
To be honest Rhulani did well and the stats are there for everyone to see. I am going to miss our Pep Mokoena ???????? pic.twitter.com/e9hmLZndMj
— Radio Club Dj???? (@TboyMP) July 2, 2024
You made us believe that Sundowns can go deep into North Africa and dominate for 90 minutes.
— Believe in 012 (@tumeloditle) July 3, 2024
All you needed was luck to win CAFCL.pic.twitter.com/uOTiZB7QrK
