Cardoso nominated for top award alongside Arteta, Kompany & Alonso

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has been nominated for the prestigious International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Award.

The former Esperance coach was appointed as Masandawana coach at the beginning of the 2024/25 season to replace Manqoba Mngqithi, who had seemingly failed to command his authority at the club, struggling to get much-needed consistency.

⭐ 𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗛𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘 ⭐

Another proud moment for the Yellow Nation as Coach Miguel Cardoso earns a nomination for the IFFHS Club Coach of the Year! 💛👏

He joins a world-class group of nominees including Antonio Conte, Diego… pic.twitter.com/uzZm5BWeUH
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 7, 2025

Initially, the organisation has crowned the World’s Best Player, World’s Best Goal Scorer, and World’s Best National Team Coach since 1987. It is made up of Sports journalists and football experts from 120 countries in the world who base their selection on stats of a given year, January to December.

Why Cardoso has been nominated and what he said after the list was made public

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso. Photo Imago

In his debut at the club, Cardoso helped Masnadawana win their eighth consecutive Premier Soccer League title.

They reached the CAF Champions League final, but, unfortunately, they lost to Egyptian side Pyramids.

Furthermore, they were the only team from the continent, out of four, to win a game in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States.

“I am delighted to have been nominated for the 2025 Club Coach of the Year award by the IFFHS. Recognition for a fantastic year at FC Mamelodi Sundowns, where we accumulated victories, excellent performances, trophies, records, and prestige,” Cardoso wrote on his IG page.

“It will always be a testament to the work of my players, coaches, and the structure I belong to! A special kiss to my family! Thank you all! Let’s go for more,” he concluded.