Agent: Mngqithi’s future up to Downs

Following changes to the technical set up at Chloorkop in October that led to Mngqithi being demoted to first team coach while Rulani Mokwena became the sole head coach, there has been speculation over his possible exit. 

His agent has now explained to SABC Sport that it will be up to the club whether Mngqithi, who has been at Downs since 2014, stays or goes at the end of the season.  

“We’ve had a discussion on this and he’s an incredibly matured person. We said he’s got six months left on his contract, a lot will depend on whether the club sees him there or in the future,” said Mike Makaab of Prosport International.

Mngqithi has over the last few months being strongly linked to Royal AM and AmaZulu, two KwaZulu-Natal sides that would link the 51-year-old back to his roots. 

“If there are opportunities that come to the fore on his side and that excite him as a football coach, then those will be considered. But for now he is incredibly happy at Sundowns and he is very committed to the football club,” his agent added. 

“It’s never easy to discuss the future of any top sport personality – Manqoba is one of the top coaches in the country, probably one of the top coaches on the continent. It will always be important for me to understand exactly how he sees his future. But as importantly as that is the case, how does the club see his future? Once we fully understand that…then we can advise on the basis of what we think is best for his future. The final decision, however, will always be made by our client. The advice that I give him will always be at a high level, not normal advice – he doesn’t need my advice on that level at all.” 

In his time at Sundowns with coach Pitso Mosimane before and then as equals with Mokwena until the abrupt changes, Mngqithi has helped the club win seven league titles and currently the Brazilians are firm favourites to retain the title this season.  

“He is happy at Sundowns and you can quote me saying that,” Makaab concluded.