Miguel Cardoso’s job at Sundowns hangs by a thread; fans’ pressure could be the tipping point

Mamelodi Sundowns are no strangers to success, yet the joyous atmosphere that typically encircles the club is under strain as coach Miguel Cardoso finds himself in a precarious situation.

Cardoso now appears to be living on borrowed time at Sundowns, despite winning the Betway Premiership and leading his team to the CAF Champions League final.

The 2025/26 season has not commenced smoothly for the Brazilians. Historically dominant against South African rivals, Sundowns have displayed remarkable inconsistency, recently exiting two major cup competitions—the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. The defeat against Marumo Gallants in the latest Cup competition only added fuel to the growing criticism of Cardoso, as fans expected a swift return to competitive form.

In a turbulent recent period for Sundowns, the club’s supporters have been vocal in their discontent, calling for the dismissal of Cardoso. The situation escalated on two separate occasions, prompting police intervention as tempers flared amongst fans dissatisfied with the team’s performance and direction under Cardoso.

Historically, Sundowns have maintained a rigorous culture that does not tolerate complacency. Even coaches who achieve success are subject to scrutiny. As the pressure from the club leadership increases, the clear expectation remains that results are of utmost importance.

Despite the challenges, Sundowns currently sit at the top of the league standings, leading some to believe that Cardoso still retains a glimmer of support from club management.

However, those feelings contrast with a growing impatience from fans, who are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the team’s performances and strategic direction.

The management’s commitment to excellence was evident through their recruitment model. The signing of Nuno Santos, a player with experience in Portugal’s top flight at Vitória de Guimarães, illustrates Sundowns’ ambition and financial prowess in the busy transfer market.

Yet, the optimism tied to such signings has been met with frustrations on the grass, as supporters feel their squad’s quality should be enough to dominate domestic match-ups consistently.

As Cardoso grapples with these mounting challenges, questions arise about whether he holds the right qualities to take Sundowns forward in their quest for the prestigious CAF Champions League title. His current standing offers little room for error; failure to secure further silverware will likely lead to his departure.

The scoreboard tells a disheartening tale: winning just one out of five possible trophies this season amounts to a meagre 20 per cent success rate. This reality would typically spell disaster for any Sundowns coach.

The memory of Rulani Mokwena’s abrupt exit lingers heavily in the air, serving as a stark reminder of the club’s intolerance for mediocrity. Mokwena, despite a largely successful league run, was sacked. However, his tenure was tainted by a lack of continental success and internal conflicts (falling out with leading players)..

Under similar scrutiny, Cardoso’s future looks increasingly bleak, especially given that he failed to halt Sundowns’ dismal fortunes against Marumo Gallants.

Last season’s disappointment, culminating with a Cup final loss to Magesi, already rocked the boat, leading to Manqoba Mngqithi’s untimely exit. Cardoso now faces the daunting task of proving he is the right man to reverse this trend before the discontent boiling in the stands becomes an unavoidable reality for club management.