Whether Mosimane returns or not is beside the point, those reports did not surface without foundation.
Miguel Cardoso is many things, but naïve is not one of them. No coach accidentally stumbles into one of the most powerful and well-paid jobs in African football. Mamelodi Sundowns do not appoint head coaches on goodwill or guesswork, and Cardoso’s presence at Chloorkop is the result of deliberate career progression.
Cardoso’ glossy CV
His coaching background across Europe, including spells in Spain and France, lends his CV a glossy finish and explains his frequent public suggestions that his future is secured. Yet that pedigree does not exempt him from scrutiny and managing Sundowns demands more than technical expertise.
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It requires emotional intelligence, self-awareness and an understanding that every word uttered carries consequence. This is where Cardoso continues to fall short because the more he speaks, the clearer it becomes that he has little regard for the intelligence of the South African football journalists.
His public engagements often come across as lectures rather than explanations, as if those questioning him are incapable of basic comprehension. The latest example came during his episode of ‘Let Me Explain’ where he attempted to downplay a deliberately vague Instagram post shared at the height of speculation linking Pitso Mosimane with a dramatic return to the club.
Cardoso quoted David Bowie: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” The timing was not accidental, and to pretend otherwise insults the audience. Cardoso has since claimed the post was misrepresented and that it was simply meant to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Bowie’s passing.
A calculated operator
Let’s be honest, Cardoso is a calculated operator, fully aware of the environment he works in. To suggest he did not anticipate the reaction is either dishonest or insulting to those expected to believe it. Whether Mosimane returns or not is beside the point, those reports did not surface without foundation.
Cardoso likely understands that the ground beneath his feet is far less stable than he publicly admits. His temporary safety appears to rest more on the unresolved legal dispute between Sundowns and Mosimane than on unwavering confidence from the club’s hierarchy.
What makes the situation worse is Cardoso’s refusal to accept responsibility for his own actions. He repeatedly creates unnecessary storms, then turns around to blame members of the fourth estate for doing their job. This is not poor communication, it is calculated provocation followed by manufactured outrage.
Pouring petrol on the fire
Sundowns is already a pressure cooker, and Instead of lowering the temperature, Cardoso pours petrol on the fire and then complains about the flames. Cryptic social media posts are one thing, but attempting to spin them into sympathy narratives after the fact is another entirely.
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Instead of focusing on the 2-0 win over Orbit College at Loftus Versfeld on Monday night, the Portuguese was left to also explain his behaviour on social media. At a club of Sundowns’ magnitude, such behaviour is not clever, it is careless, arrogant and ultimately self-inflicted.