Pitso Mosimane: European clubs don’t hire African coaches
Former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane has come out with a big statement on European clubs and their reluctance to recruit African coaches.
Former Sundowns and Al Ahly boss Pitso Mosimane believes European clubs should give African coaches a chance.
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Pitso Mosimane takes a swipe at European football
Jingles, the former Sundowns mastermind, is arguably the most successful African coach in football. However, despite lifting 19 trophies throughout his storied career, including three CAF Champions League crowns, he has never attracted interest from Europe.
Pitso has discussed the lack of African coaches in European football.
“Football is not about where you come from, football is not whether you’re African or whoever. But we have to tell the truth and look at it the way it is and its effect,” he told AD Sports.
“We can run around and we can escape and make excuses [but] Europe does not employ African coaches.
“My job is to build a trust and legacy of African coaches to say ‘Look, I think there’s something in Africa, give a chance’.
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“Europe is not ready to accept an African coach”
“Europe comes to Africa to buy a player to help them win the[UEFA] Champions League. Sadio Mane helped Liverpool to win the Champions League, Mohamed Salah came to help Liverpool win the Champions League – same as Neymar, same as Messi helped them.
“Can you check the transfers, how much was paid for Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, how much was paid in South America? €80 million, €60 million… How much was paid to Africa?
“Do you want the truth or we can talk differently, but I’m straight. Europe has to change its mentality with Africa.
“[Kylian] Mbappe is African-based, these boys are African-based, N’Golo Kante is African-based, [Karim] Benzema is African-based, Sadio Mane is African-based. Europe, let’s be honest, is surviving in Africa.
“Look at the national team of France, who was playing? How many French people? It’s Africa! So Africa needs to be supported and helped. We need to develop Africa because there is more talent, more players and more coaches.
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Pitso discusses the player vs coach debate
Mosimane also delved into how African players have lifted the UEFA Champions League but African coaches are not given a chance.
“Yesterday I was watching the Champions League, and all the African players were playing. From George Weah, to Tony Yeboah, you can mention all these big names. Abedi Pele, they all won the Champions League,” he added.
“Where is the African coach? They only have African players. So, you’re saying ‘Let the African coach have the quality’. I am here, Europe doesn’t want me.
“With the CV I have I have no easy chance to coach in Europe, even in the Middle East, with other big teams in the Middle East because I’m not European.
“How many African coaches are in the Middle East as head coaches in big clubs? And how many African coaches are in Europe in big clubs? How many African coaches are in Africa, I’m talking about Sub-Saharan [coaches], how many coaches Wydad, Al Ahly – I’m the first African coach to coach Al Ahly, I’m the first Sub-Saharan coach at Al Ahly, also Al Ahli in Jeddah and I’m the first African coach here also [Al Wahda].
Europe vs Africa on a silverware scale
“How many coaches in Europe have won three Champions League trophies? [Carlo] Ancelotti has won four and he is a veteran. Pep Guardiola won maybe four or three, Jurgen Klopp how many? One!
“And how many coaches in Europe have won the Champions League in Europe three times? Not many. So it’s difficult.
“How many coaches have won three Champions League trophies in Africa? If I win the Champions League in Africa, you don’t think I can win the Champions League in Asia or Europe? Give me the position, give me the club.
“Do you think a club like Bayern Munich will come to me? Let’s talk reality, they don’t want to because they have Thomas Tuchel, who I know, I met him and he spoke very well to me.
“Let’s not even talk about Bayern, let’s talk about Red Bull Salzburg, Leipzig, let’s talk about West Ham. Do you think they have a coach who has won trophies like me? No-one!”
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