Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has opened up on the future of senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi, whose contract is expiring at the end of the season.
Mngqithi's future at the club has been subject to speculation since he was demoted to a senior coach role, with Mokwena handed the reigns as a sole head coach, particularly with his contract up for renewal at the end of June.
Read: Frightening Prospect For Mngqithi At Downs
Soccer Laduma previously reported, exclusively, that Mokwena will have a big say on the fate of Mngqithi, once he concludes his own new contract negotiations with the club which centres around the young tactician having the power to pick his own backroom staff.
Mokwena told the media recently that there will be changes in the technical team going forward with him as a head coach, as two members of the staff have already been shown the door, fitness and conditioning coach Riedoh Berdien and assistant goalkeepers' coach Marcus Mashilo.
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The 36-year old's contract with the club only expires in 2024 but he is due to negotiate new terms as a head coach, although those talks have been put on hold, as previously stated by the Siya crew.
The Soweto native coach says Mngqithi, who now reports to him, is welcome to stay at Sundowns beyond this season if he is willing because he has been loyal towards the club.
"I don't know (if he's staying), I would presume that everybody is staying because everybody wants to be at the football club, including myself," Mokwena said on Metro FM Sports.
Read: Discussions At Downs Ongoing Over The Make-Up Of The Technical Team
"And I would think that for as much as he wants to be at the football club he has a warm and very safe space at Mamelodi Sundowns football club because of his contribution and his loyalty towards the football club.
"And for sure, maybe I'm speaking out of a position that is not mine, but for sure, I would presume that he's happy, that's why we see him every single day because he wants to be there and he wants to make a contribution," he said.
"And I would think that for everybody who wants to be at the football club, there's always a spot within the family," he added.
Read: Rulani Opens Up On Technical Team Changes
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