Why ace coach Pitso Mosimane jumped ship
Coach's expected move to join Egyptian giants Al Ahly now cleared
Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe has accepted the resignation of outgoing coach Pitso Mosimane‚ who is reported to be joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon‚ Motsepe said: “Pitso Mosimane and his agent‚ Moira Tlhagale‚ who is also his wife‚ came to brief me on the discussions between Pitso Mosimane and a top Egyptian club.
“Sundowns has been aware of the ongoing discussions between Pitso Mosimane and the Egyptian club and with other North African clubs.
“I have on several occasions over the past few years expressed my support for Pitso Mosimane leaving Sundowns to coach in North Africa or Europe or Bafana Bafana.
“Football players and coaches have at times an uncertain and inconsistent future and must pursue new opportunities where they may grow and receive greater remuneration.
“I have received a warm and emotional note from Pitso and am very proud of his achievements at Mamelodi Sundowns.
“Pitso has been the most successful coach in the history of Sundowns and will always be a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns family.
“I wish him‚ Moira and his family everything of the very best and I hope to see him coaching in Europe soon.”
Motsepe concluded by saying that the club would make an announcement on a new coach soon.
“Mamelodi Sundowns will make announcements in due course concerning the new head coach and other changes that we are introducing.
“Sundowns has over the years developed and trained very good local coaches and has a strong technical team.”
There fears that Sundowns would try to block Mosimane’s departure following their lengthy meeting earlier on Wednesday.
Howver chances of him staying became unlikely given that relations between the club and him have reached a nadir after months of public strain, with the coach understood to be unhappy with the conditions under which he had to work at Chloorkop.
Despite winning a historic treble in the just-concluded season, Mosimane was known to have strained relations with the Sundowns hierarchy, publicly stating “some people within” were not happy after the club clinched the Premiership title on September 5.
Rumours that he would leave first surfaced in September 2019, but those were dismissed after he and club owner Patrice Motsepe appeared in a televised press conference for the renewal of his contract in May.
The new deal was to expire in 2024, but events of the past few weeks, coupled with the approach from Ahly, may have forced Mosimane’s hand to seek a new challenge.