Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi finds himself at a crossroads in his career. His contract with the club expires at the end of the season, with AmaZulu FC publicly declaring their interest in leading the coach back to KwaZulu-Natal. The Chloorkop-based side need to decide on whether they want to keep the 51-year-old, and contractually, they have until the end of May 2023 to do so, according to Mngqithi's agent, Mike Makaab of ProSport International. Usuthu, who are currently without a permanent head coach following the redeployment of Romain Folz to the role of Technical Director, are monitoring the coach's situation with keen interest, stating that the coach's possible return is a mouth-watering prospect. The Brazilians have achieved considerable success since the coaching shake-up in October last year that saw Mngqithi deployed to a senior coach, with Rhulani Mokwena taking up the role of head coach. Steve Komphela is the club's assistant coach. With just under a month for his future to be decided, the Siya crew looks at what the future holds for the soon-to-be 52-year-old coach!
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
The latest news reaching the Siya crew's desk is that Mamelodi Sundowns and Manqoba Mngqithi's camp have opened talks over a possible new deal. According to the coach's agent Mike Makaab, the former Golden Arrows mentor has his mind set on remaining with the Brazilians, whom he joined back in 2014 as an assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane. The agent also stated that there is local interest in the coach's services, given the success Mngqithi has achieved in nine years with the Tshwane giants; the name of the team was not disclosed, however. Mngqithi's contract with Downs has entered its last two months, with history showing that the Brazilians usually conclude their contractual matters by the end of May. Although, according to Makaab, this is not the first time that the coach finds himself in this position, as in recent seasons, they have left it late before deciding on continuing with the coach. Mngqithi has his eyes set on remaining with Sundowns, according to Makaab, and he hopes to have the matter concluded by the end of April; however, a spanner has been thrown in the works with AmaZulu FC publicly declaring their admiration for the coach, who was on their books in 2010. Usuthu president Sandile Zungu last week revealed that he would be keen on the experienced coach… although he respects his current contract with Sundowns. "The possibility of a Manqoba Mngqithi is a mouthwatering one indeed for AmaZulu. He would be no stranger to the club having coached here before. But we must also respect the fact that there's an option on his current contract and we must then respect his employer," he told Radio 2000. And while talks of a new deal at Sundowns have begun, an independent source has confirmed to Soccer Laduma that the coach is open to exploring a new challenge. But as things stand, the Chloorkop-based side are in control of the situation, with just over two months left to run on his existing contract, which is set to expire in June 2023.
What Are The Facts?
Back in 2020, following the departure of Mosimane to Al Ahly, Sundowns appointed Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as joint head coaches with the opinion of Mngqithi prevailing when there isn't consensus. Shortly thereafter, the Brazilians appointed Steve Komphela as the club's senior coach, completing an unprecedented coaching trident. Together, the trio managed to achieve domestic success, winning the Nedbank Cup, MTN8 and the DStv Premiership in their first season in charge, although they could not end the club's CAF Champions League drought, which has now gone on for seven years with the Brazilians falling out at the quarter final stage of the competition. In October last year, shockwaves were sent through the local football fraternity when Sundowns announced a coaching shake-up that saw Mokwena promoted to head coach, Komphela to assistant coach, while Mngqithi was handed the title of senior coach, a role previously held by Komphela. "These changes were necessitated by the poor performances and unconvincing victories that the club has experienced for quite some time," the club's statement said, in part, at the time. Since taking over, Mokwena has enjoyed a record-breaking start with a 16-match winning streak, while Mngqithi, although still present, has faded into the background, particularly where the media is concerned, given the two shared media responsibilities when they were still co-coaches. This subdued role has added to the speculation that Mngqithi could be headed for the exit door at Sundowns. Mokwena has, however, played down talk of Mngqithi's possible exit. "I don't know (if he's staying), I would presume that everybody is staying because everybody wants to be at the football club, including myself," Mokwena said on Metro FM Sports in March this year.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Mngqithi Not In Unfamiliar Territory
As per Mngqithi's agent Makaab, this is not the coach's first time at the rodeo as far has his contract is concerned. "Every single year that he's had an option on his contract, we've waited until the right time to discuss it and the right time is coming. Contractually, Mamelodi Sundowns have until May to make that decision. I would be surprised if they did not make that decision earlier, for many reasons because you don't want an unsettled person in your building. You also don't want speculation to get out into the media because all of it is speculation and rumours. So, I would think from both Mamelodi Sundowns' and Manqoba's point of view, the sooner we can address this issue, the better. I think the right time will be before the end of this month," he told Gagasi FM. In the past, Mngqithi's value as the second-in-command, and more recently as the senior of the two head coaches, meant that his position has been secure up to this point, making it a straightforward decision for both parties to continue their relationship. But with the ascendence of Mokwena, Sundowns have looked a completely different outfit and, as expected, are once again on course for a successful season with the DStv Premiership wrapped up in record time, while the Nedbank Cup and CAF Champions League are firmly in sight. With the club left with just a month or so to decide on Mngqithi's future, it remains to be seen if the coach extends his nine-year stay in Chloorkop that has yielded much success.
Fallout Between Mngqithi And Mokwena In The Past
Back in 2021, the Siya crew broke the news that there had been a fallout between the two co-coaches. This came after Mngqithi made remarks that were perceived to have undermined Mokwena at a training session when his co-coach was not present. Mokwena addressed the issue a few days later, revealing that the matter had been resolved after Mngqithi apologized to him. "The coach apologized and we move on and we focus on what's important for Mamelodi Sundowns, and that's it. I've got nothing more to say about it," Mokwena told journalists on the matter, at the time. Two years later and there have been no other reports on conflict between the two coaches, with Mokwena praising the harmony with which Mngqithi and Komphela accepted his role as head coach. "We are very happy with the contributions of the entire technical team. When I said it's only normal (for changes to happen when a new head coach comes in), I meant it is only normal," he said in a press conference in January.
AmaZulu To Up The Ante?
Usuthu are an ambitious club and although the president has taken a diplomatic approach in his pursuit of Mngqithi, you can expect the KZN club to increase their efforts in luring the coach 'home'. Mngqithi spent one season at the helm of the club, under the previous ownership, but endured a torrid time in a reign that lasted just 12 months. However, the coach has seen a positive upturn in his career since then. First under Mosimane, whom he joined as an assistant coach in 2014 and then in a co-coaching system alongside Mokwena. With AmaZulu, who are currently without a permanent head coach, devising a long-term plan to win the DStv Premiership, they need a coach to match that ambitions and in Mngqithi, they have someone who fits that profile having managed to win the league seven times in the last 10 years. They have shown their ambition in the past by hiring Benni Mc-Carthy, who helped lead the team to their highest ever second place finish, and they could follow suit in their pursuit of Mngqithi. "You know there have been so many stories about clubs engaging with us regarding his services, I think what's absolutely important to understand is that these things are going to come to the surface because he's a highly talented football coach, very experienced and very knowledgeable and has played such a pivotal role in Mamelodi Sundowns' success over the years," Makaab said of mounting interest in Mngqithi.
Where Do Sundowns Fit Into The Picture?
According to Makaab, Mngqithi is fully focused on remaining with Sundowns. "The truth is that that Manqoba is completely committed to Sundowns. He's a true professional. He's working as hard as he has in the past. He's supporting the coach 100% and we speak on a regular basis. "Mamelodi Sundowns have an option to renew his contract. That option is only renewable in May, so by the end of May, they've got to make that decision. We've started discussions with Sundowns about Manqoba's future and I've spoken to Manqoba about it and, to be honest, his entire focus is on Mamelodi Sundowns. They've won the PSL (title), and we spoke about that. We said that we thought 60 points would be enough to win the PSL. Yeah, they're in the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. They're well on their way in the Nedbank Cup. "So, his intentions is to be at Mamelodi Sundowns, and we will not address this detail in any matter until the time is right. You've got to be fair to the football club and to Manqoba as a top-class coach," he said. Sundowns have left it quite late to decide on Mngqithi's future, although they are well within their rights to do so contractually. The next few weeks will be crucial for the coach, who will be hoping to have his future resolved, whether he will be staying on at Sundowns or moving on…
The Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"It's a complicated situation Manqoba finds himself in. Do you stay in a comfort zone at Sundowns where you have a guaranteed job and find yourself amongst the highest-paid coaches in the league and challenge for trophies every season, or do you step away from all of that and continue the path you started as one of the best young Black coaches in the country, although there is less stability and remuneration as you would find at Sundowns? I think it all depends on the individual, but I can assure you Manqoba and his camp will be looking at the best possible option before making a decision. With the rise of Black coaches in the country, I would love to see coach Manqoba and even coach Steve take the experience they have gained from Sundowns and implement it at a team that is capable of challenging for honours. How nice would it be if the head coaches of the Big Three were all South African?"
Watch This Space
In the current landscape, what we have been told and what Siya sources are indicating is that Usuthu are watching Mngqithi's situation with keen interest. As things stand, Sundowns currently hold all the cards! The player's agent has confirmed that the highly-rated coach is fully focused on remaining with the Tshwane giants, where he has spent the last nine years. The burning question, however, is whether a return to being a head coach is something that Mngqithi is looking for at this stage in his career, and whether the KwaZulu-Natal outfit will make an official approach for his services, over and above all the sweet talk in the media.
