‘My hand was forced’ – Teary-eyed Rulani reacts to Sundowns exit 

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has reacted following his departure from the club.

The Brazilians announced on Wednesday that they have parted ways with the 37-year-old coach. According to reports, the former Orlando Pirates mentor left after his relationship with sporting director Flemming Berg became toxic. Sundowns have since denied the claims in a statement.

Marawa Sports Worldwide, Rulani revealed he wanted to stay at Sundowns.

“I didn’t want to leave. I have to make it clear that I didn’t want to leave. My hand was forced,” he said on Wednesday

“It makes no sense to me but there’s a lot of things in life that don’t make sense and they happen, you’ve just got to accept. I’m not sure if I’m blessed with much wisdom to comprehend some of the things like this. Sometimes football… Some strange things happen but that’s the game,” Mokwena said on MSW.

Rulani leaves Sundowns despite having a successful season

“What I am accepting is the fact that at 37 I’ve coached two of the biggest teams in South African football, I’ve won as a coach, seven trophies, I’ve won four league titles, I’ve won Coach of the Season three times. 

“I leave in a season where as head coach of Sundowns for the last two seasons or one and a three quarter, I leave with a record that says 91 games played 60 games won, nine lost and 11 draws,” ex-Sundowns coach Rulani added.

“So when I look at that I am extremely proud, proud of the Sundowns players because I am crazy, I don’t know how they coped with me but I am crazy and I come with crazy ideas and crazy things. But, they breathed life into my ideas.”

Mokwena leaves Mngqithi in charge

With Rulani Mokwena gone, Sundowns will now be led by Manqoba Mngqithi.