Extra Time: Sundowns take a gamble on Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso despite history showing European coaches struggle at the club, writes Michael Madyira.

• New Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso must overcome the poor track record of European coaches at the club.

• Previous European coaches like Neeskens and Stoichkov failed while African coaches brought success.

Mamelodi Sundowns have placed their faith in Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, but history shows European coaches have struggled at the club.

The Brazilians announced Cardoso as their new head coach on Tuesday, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi. He faces the tough task of matching the success of African coaches who came before him.

Sundowns’ golden era began under Pitso Mosimane in 2012. Despite early struggles, Mosimane led the team to their greatest achievement: winning the CAF Champions League in 2016.

The success continued under African coaches Rhulani Mokwena, Steve Komphela and Mngqithi.

But European coaches have found life difficult at Chloorkop. Big names like Dutch legend Johan Neeskens, Barcelona great Hristo Stoichkov, Antonio Lopez and Henri Michel all failed to make their mark. None lasted two full seasons.

Cardoso himself has been a coaching nomad, working at 13 clubs in 20 years. However, he showed his skills when his Esperance team knocked Sundowns out of last season’s Champions League on their way to the final.

Now, he must prove he can win trophies at Sundowns, including the Champions League and next year’s Fifa Club World Cup. The pressure will be on to succeed where other European coaches failed.

The team remains strong, currently holding both the PSL and African Football League titles. But only time will tell if Cardoso can bring more glory to Chloorkop.

Pictured above: Newly-appointed Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso during his days at Esperance.

Source: CAF