The former Esperance coach arrived at Sundowns in December 2024 and immediately enjoyed success, winning the Betway Premiership while reaching the CAF Champions League final in his debut campaign.
This season brought the continental breakthrough with their second CAF Champions League title despite finishing behind Orlando Pirates in the league race.
THE MESSAGE MIGUEL CARDOSO NEVER FORGOT
Cardoso has now opened up on a moment from his first training session at the club. Speaking after Sundowns returned home from Morocco as African champions, the coach explained that the chairman publicly backed him from day one.
According to Cardoso, the moment happened during his introduction to the players.
“I can also not move forward without remembering one moment and chairman will allow me to make it public,” Cardoso told journalists.
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“It was inside our family the first day that we trained, the first training session that we had. You remember we went on the gym, and the chairman presented me to the players. And he said this is the coach that is going to take us to the Holy Land. It’s here chairman it’s here. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to accomplish that desire.”
The comments showed how strongly the club believed in the coach long before the trophy arrived.
APPRECATION FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MANAGEMENT
The coach also reflected on the backing he received throughout the journey.
Sundowns had a tougher domestic season by their standards and missed out on the league title, but the club continued supporting the technical team.
Cardoso believes that trust played a major role. “It’s also amazing to have received permanently stimulus energy and focus on the direction that we have to have in common,” he added.
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“And I had thought about this moment, about the opportunity to tell the chairman exactly, go make that flashback, and go to that moment that I remember so well.
“And I have the chance to really one day tell him we’ve done it and it’s the opportunity to make it public and thank you very much for it.”
The Champions League triumph now gives Cardoso a major achievement only two seasons into his Sundowns project.
WHAT TO DO YOU EXPECT FROM SUNDOWNS NEXT SEASON?
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