Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has joined Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca following his unexpected exit from Chloorkop.
The ex-Orlando Pirates and Chippa United mentor has proven credentials as he won the DStv Premiership title along with the African Football League this past season.
After the success at Sundowns last season, having gone 29 league games unbeaten and fell at the death to Cape Town City, Mokwena was sure to have suitors, which is why teams like FAR Rabat lined up for his services, but in the end, Wydad beat everyone to his signature.
Mokwena’s desperation for the so-called holy grail will pair smoothly with the North African giants, who have been a force in the Champions League in recent years.
It was the failure to win the Champions League that saw him axed by the Brazilians, among other reasons including a rift with sporting director Flemming Berg.
What other options were there?
Join Middendorp?
It might’ve sounded like a joke to many when Mokwena says he admires Ernst Middendorp and would love to be his assistant.
The former Sundowns mentor even said he would work as Middendorp’s second in command for free.
Whether he admires the German coach or not is up to you to decide, but as for working as an assistant in the PSL under any coach is something that was unlikely to happen, anyway, given his acquired experience as a head coach and the achievements he has with Sundowns.
He could’ve gone to the Gulf
When it comes to making the big bucks in football, the Gulf region comes to mind. People like Mokwena’s mentor, Pitso Mosimane have dived into the money-infested region where the ex-Downs mentor coached clubs like Al Ahli Saudi and Abha Club.
Mokwena has the expertise to become a household name in that part of the world as he has proven to be a scholar of the game and has a huge appetite.
Like Mosimane, Mokwena would have been afforded a chance to form his own technical team and take on the world, who knows – maybe Mokwena might have ended up being a big shot in the Gulf region and grow his brand as one of the best African-born coaches.
Remember Ramovic’s advice?
TS Galaxy and Sundowns gave have been a joy to watch this past season, not only because of the quality football but because of the drama and feud between Mokwena and The Rockets’ mentor Sead Ramovic.
The two have had a heated exchange in press conferences which manifested itself on the pitch after a PSL match in Mbombela.
Ramovic took a jab at Mokwena and said the latter should consider upgrading his coaching badges. Mokwena currently holds a CAF A License.
Mokwena had a chance to stay away from the bench and go get the most prominent coaching qualification – the UEFA A License. Now that Mokwena no longer has time in his hands – he will have to wait a while longer to “upgrade his education”, as person his nemesis’ advice.
A sabbatical was on the cards
A number of coaches have taken time off from the game, such as former Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp, who recently stepped down from the top job, citing issues of being tired.
Mokwena’s ‘idol’, Pep Guardiola also took a sabbatical after all the success at Barcelona and then joined Bayern Munich after a year-long break. Mokwena could have followed that path after the shock exit from Chloorkop but decided otherwise.
After all, a break, as suggested by one author, is a fantastic chance to reboot. “The opportunity to step away from everything and take a break is something that shouldn’t be squandered,” says Harper Reed.
Welcome aboard, Coach Rhulani Mokwena! Ready to lead us to victory! 🌟⚽#DimaWydad pic.twitter.com/mEyhXUZKoF
— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) July 11, 2024
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