Miguel Cardoso signs new Mamelodi Sundowns contract until 2028

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reportedly signed a new contract running until June 2028, with improved financial terms following a successful spell at the South African club.

The Portuguese coach recently confirmed that he had agreed a new deal with the Premier Soccer League champions but did not reveal its duration. Sundowns have yet to make an official announcement about the agreement.

Cardoso, 54, disclosed ahead of the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium that negotiations had been completed during the off-season.

The former Esperance coach explained that Sundowns initially exercised an option in his previous contract before both parties began discussions over revised terms.

“The club at the time had an option they executed, but we at the same time on the same day started discussing a new contract,” Cardoso told journalists at Chloorkop.

“The technical staff is very happy to be in the club, the club is showing happiness in having us, so we changed the terms we had.”

The negotiations reportedly resulted in an improved remuneration package and a commitment that will keep Cardoso at Chloorkop until June 2028.

Cardoso joined Sundowns in December 2024, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi, and made an immediate impact by guiding the club to the league title and the CAF Champions League final in his first season.

Although Sundowns lost that continental final to Egyptian side Pyramids, the Portuguese coach subsequently helped the club secure another MTN8 crown and end their decade-long wait for a second continental title.

He believes the new agreement reflects the shared vision between his technical team and the club’s management.

“It’s clear that both the club and myself share the same values in terms of how we see football,” he said.

“And yes, we have a long-term contract, that we as coaches want, to take it to the limit.”

Cardoso added that the relationship between both parties was built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to the club’s ambitions.

“And it’s not important, the paper, the commitment is important. The commitment is very strong from both sides,” he said.

“It’s just a sign that we share values and that makes everyone happy and gives stability. We’re happy.”

Why Sundowns kept faith with Cardoso

Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe recently explained why the club decided to retain Cardoso despite their defeat by Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final.

Motsepe said the decision required the club to look beyond a difficult period and consider the progress made under the coach, including their return to the continental final after a nine-year absence.

“The important factor was the feeling I had, to say, ‘Can we really release somebody in a short space, in this bumpy period… He took us to the final of the CAF Champions League [in 2025], which we had not been to for the past nine years. Do we let go of somebody who allowed our players to express themselves?” Motsepe said in an interview on the club’s official YouTube channel.

He also pointed to Sundowns’ performances at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he believed the team had demonstrated qualities that aligned with the club’s long-term footballing philosophy.

“And to play with such bravery at the [FIFA] Club World Cup, if we’re just going through this period right now?” he added.

Motsepe acknowledged that football is driven by emotion but stressed the importance of assessing the broader picture before making major decisions.

“If we had let go of Coach Miguel at that time, who knows if we would have got the Champions League or the [FIFA] African-Asian Pacific Cup,” he said.

The chairman added that the club had seen elements of the traditional Sundowns playing philosophy, known as Shoeshine and Piano, emerging during their Club World Cup campaign.

The decision to maintain confidence in Cardoso has since been followed by further success, strengthening the case for continuity as Sundowns seek to remain competitive domestically and in Africa.

Sundowns turn attention to Richards Bay

Cardoso’s contract news comes as Sundowns prepare to return to domestic action following their MTN8 triumph.

The Brazilians are scheduled to visit Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 19:30 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.

The match offers Cardoso an opportunity to maintain the momentum generated by the cup victory as Sundowns continue their pursuit of further domestic honours.

With a reported deal until June 2028, the coach is set to have additional time to develop his project at Chloorkop, although the club is yet to formally confirm the contract’s details.