Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena has expressed a strong desire to remain at Chloorkop for an extended period but doubts emulating Pep Guardiola's managerial reign at Manchester City.
Mokwena recently signed a four-year contract extension, committing to remain with the Brazilians until 2027.
The extension reflects both his commitment and ambitions with the club alongside the club hierarchy’s confidence in his leadership abilities.
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Despite failing to lift the CAF Champions League, the 37-year-old mentor remains focused on his long-term goals for the team.
“You have to ask yourself, when I’m winning so many games as the coach what’s going to happen?” Mokwena said.
“I would love to stay at Sundowns for eight to nine years and do a Pep, a Klop, I would love to, I love Sundowns.
“I love the club; I give my all for the club and the supporters but sometimes I say to myself I don’t think it’s possible.
“I don’t think I will stay eight or nine years like Pep anymore because the truth of the matter is I’m going to have to go one or two seasons without winning the Champions League.
“I’m going to go one or two seasons without winning the league.
“And I’m not sure what type of reaction I will get. If I go a season without winning the Champions League, I mean Pep, eight to nine years at Man City and he won the Champions League once.
“And there were seasons where he didn’t even win the Premier League but he spent eight to nine years at the club. Klopp has won the English Premier League once, the Champions League once but he stayed for eight years,” Mokwena added.
“And his (Klopp) parting shot was I left and felt appreciated from the beginning to the absolute end.
“Sometimes I’m not so sure and I pray to God we never get into that space where going into a streak where we don’t win anything (at Sundowns) I doubt that will ever happen.
“But football being football it is a possibility.”
Masandwana are currently preparing to host their rivals Orlando Pirates in a highly-anticipated Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
Fully focused on the final! 🔜#Sundowns #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/2aerzC1G0E
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 29, 2024
