Mamelodi Sundowns treble-winning manager Pitso Mosimane confirms his resignation

Treble winning manager Pitso Mosimane has confirmed his resignation from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mosimane’s confirmation comes hours after reports emerged that he was linked with continental giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.

A source told TimesLive that his main objective would be winning the CAF African Champions League title again.

"It is with a sense of pain and sadness that I announce my departure from Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. I have accepted an offer to join an international team.

"Mamelodi Sundowns has been my family for almost eight years. President Dr Patrice Motsepe has been like a father to me. He has been a mentor, a friend, a supporter and a confidante. I could never quit him or Mamelodi Sundowns,” Mosimane said in a statement seen by Standard Sports.

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The 56-year-old added: “I am only going away to carry the spirit of the Yellow Nation with me. After winning five league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns – the 10th for the club – how can a man ever find it easy to say goodbye to his home? How can I say goodbye to the family, the board, the supporters and the fans?

"From the deepest of my heart, I am so grateful that the President has blessed my move. I did not expect less from a man who has been so good and generous to me. He is the kind of leader any family, company, team and indeed any country needs. I have been privileged to drink from his well of wisdom.

"My success is his success. Without him, I would not have achieved half of what I have. I leave this family knowing that our bond is unbreakable and hoping that over time, our paths would come together again," he said.

Mosimane has been at the helm of Sundowns for seven years where he won many trophies including the CAF Champions League and the Super Cup.

Club boss Dr Patrice Motsepe said in a statement that he was happy for the veteran tactician despite the departure.

“Pitso Mosimane and his agent Moira Tlhagale, who is also his wife, came to brief me on the discussions between Pitso Mosimane and a top Egyptian club. Sundowns have been aware of the ongoing discussions between Pitso Mosimaneand the Egyptian club and with other North African clubs," said Motsepe.

The 56-year-old is one of the longest-serving and highly rated coaches in South African football, having won several major trophies with SuperSport United between 2001 and 2007.

He served as the caretaker coach of South Africa for seven games during 2007, before Carlos Alberto Parreira was appointed as head coach. He then served as an assistant coach to Parreira, and Joel Santana with South Africa.

In 2010, Mosimane was named as the new head coach of South Africa. He had been an assistant to former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was handed a four-year contract.

He won the 2016 CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns after defeating Egypt's Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate, making them the second South African side to win it after Orlando Pirates in 1995.

In 2016, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) ranked Mosimane as the 10th best coach in the world.

Today we say farewell to one of our own, @TheRealPitso!

7 Years of unforgettable memories that we will remember for years to come - for this we say #ThankYouPitso#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/i4TMTIi48O — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 30, 2020