Jingles may jangle critics, but he deserves a big Bell’s
There may not be a more polarising figure in South African football than the man nicknamed ‘‘Jingles”. The mere mention of Pitso Mosimane’s name usually divides opinion right down the middle, and he has the unique ability to delight and infuriate in equal measure.
Known for his penchant for shooting from the lip and taking no prisoners, no one is safe when the Mamelodi Sundowns coach is around, and the scribblers love him to bits for it.
“Jingles” has that effect on people and there are times when it seems his larger-thanlife personality even eclipses that of his employers.
But the good thing about him is that he has an overflowing trophy cabinet to back up his straight talk, and he continued his unrelenting march into the history books when he nailed an unprecedented eighth league title for Sundowns in April.
I was with the man on SuperSport a few days ago and I asked him if he’s ever bothered when he hears some of the unflattering and negative views some have about him, even though he is the most decorated coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
‘‘I do not want to be in a popularity contest of being the most liked guy who lost many games, or the most humble guy who doesn’t win,” he said. ‘‘My game is about football, it is about winning. You know, I got so emotional with the Arsene Wenger send-off [the 68-yearold French manager’s departure from English club Arsenal after 22 years at the helm].
‘‘But it was time — and I mean, 22 years! I was so emotional and I said: ‘Wow, this is what football is all about. Alex Ferguson 26 years at Manchester United and all that, you know. Arsene Wenger had his own way of handling things and he never ever accepted when Arsenal is wrong. Never. Not even once.
“Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola … I’m not saying I am in that space, but I am just saying that these guys have done so well.
“Mourinho is also not one of the most liked ones, but you can see he has got 26 trophies. There are those who are most liked and they do not win.
‘‘So I want the opposite. I am in a popularity contest and I do not want to be a so-called role model,” Mosimane said.
The man was in his element, wasn’t he? But let’s face it, Mosimane has earned the right to tell it like it is and it’s no surprise that his frankness rubs many people up the wrong way.
He is the Brazilians’ most successful coach in the PSL era (the period after 1996), and besides the numerous titles he’s won in the five years he’s been in charge of the club, he also led the club to a maiden African Champions League in 2016.
It will be interesting to see how the judges voted when they met in a hotel in Johannesburg a few days ago to decide on who should win the premiership coach of the season award.
The nominees were announced this week, and Mosimane is up against Fadlu Davids of Maritzburg United and Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic of Orlando Pirates. The winner has already been decided and his name will be revealed at the PSL’s end-of-season awards at the end of May.
That award has sparked furious debate, and while many argue that Mosimane should win it at a canter after netting a third league title in five years, some are furiously opposed to the idea and maintain that Davids is more deserving.
Mosimane is unfazed by the debate and has often given the impression that he couldn’t give a flying toss whether he wins the accolade or not.
But come on, folks, that award belongs to Mosimane and it would be a gross injustice if anyone else ascends the winners’ podium to claim the prize on May 29.
He may not be everybody’s cup of tea but surely he cannot be denied the accolade when the curtain officially comes down on the 2017-2018 PSL season next week.
I’m no clairvoyant but allow me to get ahead of myself and ask you all to please raise your glasses and join me in a toast, to the Special One, the one and only Pitso Mosimane.