[ad_1]
The former Downs strategist has explained the weight of his responsibility on the eight-time African champions, but sees it as an opportunity for others.
Pitso Mosimane says Al Ahly’s job is like coaching La Liga giants Real Madrid or Barcelona, and he feels he is in Egypt to pave the way for his former assistant Rhulani Mokwena to work in Europe.
Mosimane got off to a good start in his new role for the Cairo giants when he guided them to a 1-0 win over Al Mokawloon on Sunday after being named coach three days earlier.
Being in his first coaching job outside of South Africa and becoming the first Sub-Saharan tactician to coach Al Ahly, Mosimane feels he has opened the doors for other local coaches to outperform him by landing contracts in Europe.
“I always tell Rhulani that they are the generation of local coaches to go to Europe. And how does Rhulani get to Europe? Pitso must go to Egypt and show that we can take on the big jobs, ”Mosimane told New Frame.
“Of course, it is difficult. I was talking to [former Manchester United striker] Dwight Yorke the other time when we were analysts together and he was saying how hard it is for them [black coaches] to enter that space [the English Premier League]. But [white] the guys who didn’t even play get a chance.
Look, Ahly has taken over 100 years to hire a black coach. But those of us who have these opportunities, if you win games, that might help. [open the doors for others]. “
The former Mamelodi Sundowns manager says the weight of responsibility at Al Ahly is enormous, comparing it to taking a job at La Liga giants Real Madrid or Barcelona.
He came to Al Ahly after spending eight years at the Sundowns and the Cairo giants have a history of impatience with their coaches.
“This is how to train [Real] Madrid or Barça in Europe. It’s like training Flamengo or Santos, River Plate or Boca Juniors in South America. It is as huge as that. So you say to yourself, let me go there, ”Mosimane said.
“Of course, you know that the risks are great in those big clubs. If you look at the history of the team itself, it won’t go easily because the coaches don’t last in that space. But I could say the same about when I came to Mamelodi Sundowns.
“The lifespan of the coaches at Sundowns wasn’t even a year; It took eight to nine months before it arrived. And I said to myself, do I want to go to that environment? But look what came out, almost eight years came out. So either you go there and think you can be successful.
“I’m not going to a space where I don’t think it can work. I think it will work because I’ve played Zamalek, I’ve played Al Ahly. And not once. Those are the dominant teams that win the league in that space.
“So what else should I fear in that space? And they’re competing against Wydad who I’ve played, I think, 10 times. “
With Al Ahly already winning the league title with Mosimane’s predecessor Rene Weiler, winning the Caf Champions League for the first time since 2013 is the biggest task that awaits the former Downs coach.
