In football, what happens on the pitch is only ever half the story. The culture built behind the scenes, the relationships, the trust, the quiet moments of leadership – is just as often what separates good teams from great ones. For Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, that truth has never been clearer.
Speaking about his relationship with club chairman Thlopie Motsepe, Cardoso was warm and unambiguous.
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“The chairman was incredibly supportive and present in many moments,” he said via Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine. “In some moments, he took over the room, especially after the match in Rwanda against Al Hilal.”
It was a telling example. High-pressure moments in continental competition demand more than tactical clarity — they demand emotional intelligence, and Cardoso acknowledged that Motsepe provided exactly that when it mattered most.
“Football is not only tactical but also emotional. He created an environment that helped us manage our emotions and stay united. Success comes from support, from the small messages from the president, the Motsepe family and our own families.”
Then there is the matter of his working relationship with Sporting Director Flemming Berg — a dynamic that, in football, is historically as likely to be a source of tension as it is of strength. Cardoso is candid about that reality, but clear about where things stand at Sundowns.
“My relationship with Flemming Berg is one of mutual respect,” he says. “Our roles are clear; I keep my space and independence. In the end, we have to collaborate to achieve the set goals.”
It is a straightforward philosophy, but one that is harder to execute than it sounds. Egos, ambition and differing visions have derailed more than a few partnerships between coaches and sporting directors at clubs far larger than this.
That Cardoso describes theirs as grounded in clarity and respect suggests a working environment built on trust rather than tolerance.
After missing out on the league for the first time in nine years, Sundowns finally managed to secure their second star, winning the CAF Champions League for the first time since 2016 – it sets up a compelling off-season where they club will undoubtedly invest heavily into the playing squad in order to get back to their domestic dominance.
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