Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says his team is in a rebuilding phase after losing a few key players.
With Lucas Ribeiro’s future in doubt, Masandawana have had to dig deep without their best player. On top of that, the club has parted ways with 11 players since the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Miguel Cardoso, who has been in charge of Sundowns for just under a year, feels the club is on the right track despite a poor start to the season.
“Part of the past was done with me, with the players, since I arrived, I remember, this club for 10 years didn’t arrive in the final of the Champions League and we did it,” Cardoso said as per iDiski Times.
“And we kept winning the championship, breaking all records in the PSL, except one – so this is the respect that was done also for the people who arrived in the club, not just the ones that were here – everybody works very hard every day and deserve respect.
Cardoso feeling the heat at Sundowns
“This is the trust we have inside the club, a big commitment, big trust between everybody in Mamelodi Sundowns which is important to understand – everyone wants to win every match but no team wins every match,” said the Sundowns coach.
So far, the Brazilians are unbeaten this season, having played four draws and three wins in the seven matches across all competitions. Downs supporters have been critical of the coach since the team’s early exit at the Club World Cup.
“If you are really fair to everyone who works in Sundowns, the coaching staff, the technical department, the sporting director, you understand the team that played the World Cup is not the same team playing right now,” Cardoso added.
“The impact of the players that are absent are so big on this team that we need to rebuild and rebuilding is done with a moment where players are still young, last year some of them didn’t play – we’re rebuilding and happy to do that and pleased.
“We will arrive where we want to arrive, we know which direction we’re going, very well, believe me and we’re so committed on that work – so strong inside the club, and we will become stronger with victories following one after the other, its our nature, it will happen.”
It remains to be seen if Cardoso will improve Sundowns in the coming weeks.
Can Sundowns turn the corner?
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