Pitso Mosimane has dramatically parted ways with Al Ahly. Photo by Fadi El Assaad - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Pitso Mosimane. Photo by Fadi El Assaad – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Why Sundowns wouldn’t consider luring Pitso Mosimane back

Sundowns have effectively confirmed they don’t see a need to consider making a play for in-demand Pitso Mosimane.

Pitso Mosimane has dramatically parted ways with Al Ahly. Photo by Fadi El Assaad - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Pitso Mosimane. Photo by Fadi El Assaad – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Although Pitso Mosimane had just penned a new two-year deal with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, he dramatically requested clearance to leave the club after recent meetings.

It was speculated that Mosimane and his representatives may have grown disillusioned at Al Ahly after post-season meetings were publicised, sparking rumours about his potential future at the club.

Despite Mosimane’s success at Al Ahly, where he has won a handful trophies since moving from Sundowns, there’s been persistent criticism of the coach by some of the club legends and a growing section of the local fans and press.

Mosimane would surely have not requested to leave Al Ahly if he had no options and possible offers in front of him, though. As it is, he will reportedly have big-money job offers to consider in Qatar.

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The veteran coach previously indicated that there are new opportunities for African coaches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and this could be his first option.

There are also believed to be at least three PSL teams possibly interested in his services, but Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has reiterated the faith in co-head coaches Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi, who are assisted by senior coach Steve Komphela and goalkeeper coach Wendal Robinson.

“We have three very successful coaches who have done so well for our football club. All we can do is wish coach Pitso well because he is a successful South African coach and wherever he goes he will continue to succeed but our coaches have done so well, it wouldn’t be right to think about any other suitor for our football club because we have found the perfect coaches,” said Motsepe.

Meanwhile, in an interview with TimesLIVE, Mosimane’s manager Moira Tlhagale revealed that there are certainly no shortage of options.

“Yesterday [Monday] I got a lot of calls from different international and domestic [SA] clubs that are interested in coach Pitso Mosimane but it’s important to clarify on the record that we have not signed anything with anyone.

“Interest is both international and domestic with three local SA teams that want the services of the coach.

“We have not gone into too much detail with anyone in terms of negotiations. Some of the teams that called wanted to confirm if he has signed with anyone already.

“This is because there have been reports in the media saying that he has been linked or signed with certain clubs but that is not correct at all.”

Interestingly, football journalist Robin Duke has now suggested that “the management of Royal AM have told club boss MaMkhize to give coach Jingles what he wants”.

It remains to be seen whether there may be substance to such a claim, or if it is just a pipedream, but this would certainly be an interesting development.

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Latest reports by FilGoal state that Mosimane could already be able to also consider a lucrative offer to join a club in the Qatar Stars League.

Mosimane had previously been linked with a move to Al-Rayyan SC, while South African broadcaster Maskepe Matsebane suggested there could be two offers from Qatar. In addition, Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr are apparently also interested in his services.

Al Ahly released the below statement in relation to Mosimane’s shock departure.

After a recent meeting, the club stated that all parties had “decided that he (Mosimane) should continue his mission with Al Ahly as a result of the achievements he managed to accomplish during the previous period.

“However, during the meeting that was previously held, Mosimane requested to leave and that he is satisfied with the achievements he managed to accomplish with the club.

“Later on, Mosimane’s decision was discussed and it was decided to approve his request to part ways with the club and to thank him for the achievements that he accomplished.”

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PITSO MOSIMANE’S AL AHLY MISS OUT ON R40 MILLION AFTER LATEST CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEFEAT

Apart from his failure to deliver another CAF Champions League trophy, Pitso also missed out on adding another R40 million to Al Ahly’s bank account.

The CAF Champions League pays $2.5 million to ultimate winners, and that equates to around R40 million in South African Rands.

Wydad won the R40 million while Al Ahly walked away with silverware medals and $1.25 million (R20 million) for their efforts.

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