The 53-year-old tactician remained with the Brazilians following Rhulani Mokwena’s departure
Manqoba Mngqithi is set to be elevated to head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns following the departure of Rhulani Mokwena this month.
Mngqithi has been serving as senior coach but according to his agent Mike Makaab, he is set to sign a new contract with the Brazilians, which will make him the boss.
The 53-year-old is currently in Austria for pre-season with the PSL champions but is yet to agree fresh terms after his deal expired at the end of June.
‘We will finalise everything this week, as head coach’
His agent is, however, relaxed about the situation as talks over a new deal continue with an agreement expected this week.
“He has not signed a contract yet but we will finalise everything this week, as head coach,” Makaab told Soccer Laduma. “I am still negotiating but it won’t be a short-term contract,” he added.
Sundowns have kept faith with Mngqithi who is one of their longest serving coaches, having initially joined in 2013, as assistant to Pitso Mosimane.
Sundowns seem keen to maintain continuity
He was elevated to co-coach, alongside Mokwena, when Mosimane left in 2020 before changes saw him retained as senior coach with the now Wydad Athletic Club boss made head coach.
His deep understanding of the club seems to have convinced the Sundowns hierarchy to stick with him for the purposes of continuity and he will be assisted by Steve Komphela who has also returned to the Tshwane giants.
Sundowns began their pre-season tour with a 2-1 loss to German lower league side SV Sandhausen on Tuesday and will hope for better fortunes against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev on Thursday.
