Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has been nominated for the 2025 IFFHS Club Coach of the Year award, a sign of his good run at the club. The award is run by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, and it focuses on the best coaches all over the world.
Cardoso joins a list of coaches who are known all over the world, like Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Diego Simeone, Antonio Conte, and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca.
Only two African club coaches are up for this award, with Pyramids FC’s Krunoslav Jurcic alongside Cardoso. This shows how big Cardoso’s good work has been.
Cardoso said he was happy to be on the list, explaining that it recognises a “fantastic year at FC Mamelodi Sundowns, where we accumulated victories, excellent performances, trophies, records, and prestige.”
He added that this is a big thing for the players, coaches, and the club, and thanked his family for their help, saying it will “always be a testament to the work of my players, coaches, and the structure I belong to.” He said he wants to keep doing well.
The club wants to win three big trophies this year, the Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, and CAF Champions League. If they win all three, it will be a great year for the club and will put Cardoso in the top group of coaches in the world.
Over the years, Sundowns has wanted to win the CAF Champions League, and they have come close many times but have not won it yet. Their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup shows how well the club is doing in Africa, and how important Cardoso is for the team.
Cardoso has to keep Sundowns at a high level and win many trophies in the league and in Africa. If they do not win the PSL, it will hurt them, as they have won eight league titles in a row before this, and that streak was started by other coaches.
The award will also make Sundowns look better all over the world, and it will show how good the club is. Cardoso has kept the team together and made them play well in many competitions this year.
If he wins, Cardoso will join a list of the best coaches in the world and will help make African club football look good on the big stage. This will also inspire players and other coaches.
