By Dylan Bettencourt
- Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso taught PE and ran a school before his rise to the top of African football.
- He has now led Mamelodi Sundowns to their eighth league title and is eyeing a historic Champions League win.
Miguel Cardoso used to write lesson plans in a small Portuguese town. Now he’s making history with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Just five months into his new job, the 52-year-old has already delivered a record eighth straight domestic league title for the club.
Cardoso was born in Trofa, near Porto. Before becoming a full-time coach, he worked as a PE teacher and even ran a school. His wife is still a teacher in Portugal – a reminder of their humble roots, FarPost reported.
“I had to make my life,” he told reporters. “I was putting together all the different possibilities.”
Cardoso is not the first coach at Sundowns to start out as a teacher. Manqoba Mngqithi, who coached the club before him, also came from a classroom background. Mngqithi now leads Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Cardoso’s coaching journey began in 1993 with SC Espinho’s under-12 team. He later worked with top clubs in Europe, including Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk, Rio Ave, Nantes, Celta Vigo and AEK Athens. In 2024, he guided Espérance de Tunis to the Tunisian league title.
He joined Sundowns in January 2025 under heavy pressure. But instead of backing down, he embraced it.
“I should enjoy the moment. I should live it with pleasure,” he said.
Cardoso has formed a strong bond with his players. After winning the league, he celebrated with cigars and hugs. Captain Themba Zwane said the team loves how he lets them “play with joy, with a smile”.
But now the real test begins.
Sundowns face Pyramids FC of Egypt in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Egypt on Saturday.
Cardoso has lost three major finals before – including the Europa League final with Braga in 2011, the UEFA Youth League final with Shakhtar, and the CAF Champions League final with Espérance in 2024.
Sundowns booked their place in this year’s final by beating Al Ahly – the same team that broke Cardoso’s heart in last year’s final.
Now, he’s one win away from redemption.
Pictured above: Miguel Cardoso.
Image source: @Masandawana
