Mamelodi Sundowns management is currently grappling with a challenging decision regarding the future of coach Manqoba Mngqithi, according to insiders privy to information.
Siya sources have indicated that Sundowns have not decided whether to retain Mngqithi as head coach or consider redeploying him to a different role.
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The sources added that a separate concern at the club appears to be internal conflicts within the dressing room, which are impacting the team's performance.
"The biggest dilemma is the issue of the current contract. You know he just signed a new four-year contract when the season started after the departure of Rulani Mokwena? There will be huge financial consequences just like it was with Rulani and they don't want to make that mistake as it will be reckless. Another stumbling block is that as much they have missed out on the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout, the board feels it's still too early to fire a coach or redeploy him with a new coach coming in. Doing that will further complicate things," said the Siya source.
"So, they are caught between a rock and a hard place. They are in limbo, even though there is unhappiness with the results, they don't want to make irrational decisions," the Siya source added.
A second insider suggested that management and the technical team have identified player egos in the dressing room as a contributing factor to performance issues, and that the head coach is not entirely responsible for these problems.
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"They also feel it's not totally up to the coach. Yes, though at times they feel like the team is not totally playing the Sundowns way, they also believe the players' egos in the dressing room rub off the wrong way on one another and affects the team's performance. So, as much as they could not be happy with the coach and his technical team, they are also looking at what the players are failing to do which contributes to some of these results and that makes it difficult for them to make a decision on the coach. It's a tough and difficult one to reach a decision on," the second insider told the Siya crew.
The Brazilians have faced setbacks this season, losing a league match to Polokwane City, a two-legged MTN8 semi-final to Stellenbosch FC, and the Carling Knockout final to newly promoted side, Magesi FC. They also started the CAF Champions League group stages with a goalless draw against DRC side AS Maniema Union.
As Sundowns navigate through a challenging period, the club's management would have to balance immediate problems with long-term strategic decisions. Whether addressing coach Mngqithi's role or tackling internal team dynamics, the path forward will require careful consideration to uphold the club's esteemed aspirations.
Soccer laduma contacted Sundowns for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
