Pitso Mosimane is back on the job market after parting ways with Saudi Arabia club Al Wahda by mutual agreement.
The celebrated South African coach lasted only five months in the Middle East and after a recent hospital operation, he could take some time off.
However, ‘Jingles’ is well aware that he will have no shortage of suitors if he wants back immediately. Premier Soccer League(PSL) side Kaizer Chiefs have been asked to pull out all stops to ensure they land the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
Many will also feel that it is time the 59-year-old took up a European coaching job. The three-time CAF Champions League winner has previously downplayed his chances of coaching a European club due to their inability to trust an African coach.
Pitso Mosimane thinks he is better than Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard as a coach just that Europe is not ready for Africa… Jingles 🤭🔥
And yes, I also think so too 🤔🤔🤔#CR17BankStatements macg Natasha Mokoena which south africa Nigerians baked beans pic.twitter.com/DZv9wOzrwL
— YaseBlock B 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) September 8, 2022
“Is Europe willing to have a Sub-Saharan there? They’ve never had. Even those who are European black-born coaches don’t get a chance,” he said, as quoted by GOAL.
This begs the question, have we ever had African coaches manage in European leagues? Kimbiblog Sports looks at some of those who have had various stints.
1. Ndubuisi Egbo – KF Tirana(Albania)
The Nigerian national became the first African coach to lead a European team to a league time after his side were crowned champions in the 2019/2022 season. They also qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
He is currently the Head Coach of FC Prishtina, a side in Kosovo.
Stand Up For 🇳🇬Ndubuisi Egbo:
• He has coached FK Tirana to their 1st Albanian title in 11 yrs
• First black & African coach to win a major European League
• First African to qualify a club for #ChampionsLeague
• AFCON Silver🥈 and Bronze🥉
• He won #NPFL with J/Berger. pic.twitter.com/j9pSaOGjpn
— FAST TRACK 🇳🇬 (@FastTrackNaija) July 21, 2020
2. M’baye Leye – Standard Liege/Zulte Waregem(Belgium)
The former Senegal international player was handed the managerial reigns by his former club, Standard Liege, in 2019 but was fired in 2021.
He was then appointed by another of his former clubs, Zulte Waregem, in 2022, but only lasted 34 matches.
Senegalese 🇸🇳 M'Baye Leye the man at the helm of Belgian Pro League side Standard Liège as the Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/kwYsbH8bds
— Football Stage (@Football__Stage) August 20, 2021
3. Mehdi Nafti – Lugo/Levante/Leganes(Spain)
Nafti is a former Tunisian international who has had several stints with Spanish second-division sides such as Lugo, Levante and Leganes.
The said stints have been short as either he has been fired or couldn’t agree on contract renewals.
4. Lito Vidigal – clubs in Portugal
Raised in Portugal, the Angolan national has had several jobs in the country since venturing into coaching in 2004.
He also led Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv to second place in 2017 but was dismissed that season.
One would hope that should Mosimane land a job in Europe; his success would bode well for other clubs to take a chance on African coaches.
Where will Pitso Mosimane go next?
Prior to leaving Al Wahda, Sports Brief compiled a list of possible destinations for Pitso Mosimane.
He has long sought a coaching role in Europe but believes big clubs are reluctant to hire Africans.
Kaizer Chiefs fans are hoping they will win the race so that ‘Jingles’ can bring back the glory days.