Sundowns part ways with Neeskens

Mamelodi Sundowns have sacked manager Johan Neeskens following their defeat in the Telkom Knockout final.

Neeskens will be replaced by Pitso Mosimane in the hotseat at the big-spending Premier Soccer League club.

A statement from Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe read: “Johan Neeskens is a good coach whose experience and track record speaks for itself. He sacrificed and worked hard for the success of the club.

“Johan will always have a special place at Mamelodi Sundowns and I wish him the very best with his future and career.

“I am excited to welcome Pitso to Mamelodi Sundowns and am confident that he will contribute to the success and growth of the club.

“Pitso’s first major task is to ensure that we win games and finish in a respectable position in the Premier Soccer League, taking into account the very high standards we set for ourselves.

“Our current position on the log is extremely embarrassing and we have to restore the dignity and pride of Sundowns and our supporters.”

It is the end of a trophy-less 18 months in charge for the former World Cup star Neeskens, a former assistant with the Dutch national team, Barcelona and Galatasaray.

Neeskens has been on the brink of departing several times already this season as the Sundowns struggled near the foot of the Premier Soccer League standings, despite having the most expensively assembled squad in the league.

The Dutchman did, however, lead the club to Saturday’s cup final, a 1-0 defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic in Durban.

Mosimane returns to club football for the first time since 2006 when he left SuperSport United to work for the South African national team.