Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has defended his record after he was suddenly promoted by the club following Rulani Mokwena’s unexpected exit.
Mokwena’s departure, and the promotion of Mngqithi, who was the club’s assistant coach, led many pundits to predict an end to Sundowns’ dominance of South African football.
Many have wondered if Mngqithi is the right man for the job after the club was outplayed by Stellenbosch in both semi-final legs and so eliminated from the MTN8.
Mngqithi, as quoted by Hollywoodbets, said while he never applied to take over from Mokwena, he was given the position because the club saw something in him.
“Personally, I am not somebody who always advocates for power and positions because I believe what is more important is to fight to be influential in whatever space you are in and be a positive influence in that space.
“That for me is the most important thing, more than which position you are holding,” the reluctant coach said.
“As a coach, I have never even fought to become a head coach in any team that I have coached before. I was an assistant coach at Golden Arrows but it was them who saw that he could be their coach.
“I have never applied for a coaching job, teams always bring me because of what they think or what they see. Positions are not the most important,” the Sundowns mentor said.
Mngqithi also hit back at his critics, who have questioned his ability to lead to club, saying he did not pay any attention to them, and even stayed off social media.
“I believe that anyone who thinks like that might be malicious or might be having issues, or maybe might be sent by others to say things that suit those particular individuals.
“But for someone to think I am not capable of coaching Sundowns, that will be very strange for me,” he said.
IOL Sport