Al Ahli Saudi head coach Pitso Mosimane has described why South African players struggle to move to Europe and was at pains to discuss the role of agents in that situation.
Mosimane, who had a career abroad as a player, moved out of his coaching comfort zone in 2020 to join Egyptian giants Al Ahly, where he won two CAF Champions League titles, among his multiple honours in a short period of time.
The former Bafana Bafana head coach looked for another challenge outside of South Africa after he parted ways with the Red Devils and was appointed as head coach of Saudi Arabia outfit Al Ahli, tasked with the job of returning the side to the Saudi Pro League.
Read: Pitso Questions Broos: 'I Don't Know Why He Said That'
The veteran mentor was asked why South African players find it difficult to find teams in Europe and whether their agents are failing them.
Although Mosimane was uncomfortable talking about agents, as his wife has an agency, he suggested that South African players are overlooking other regions out of the country, which can be stepping stones to Europe's top leagues.
"I must be careful about me talking against agents because (of) my wife running an agency also, so I must be careful," Mosimane said at a Nedbank Cup event, where he was unveiled as one of the ambassadors.
"But I'm a direct person you know me, I always say it the way it is and it's the same. Someway, somehow I think first the players don't know what's happening outside, they only say 'Europe'.
"Whereas, first there's North Africa here, second there's a Gulf here and there's also Europe. There's Europe of the Premier League, top six in the world and there's also Europe where the Patson Daka started, where the Sadio Mane started," he said.
The outspoken coach, however, went on to question the advise agents are giving South African players, because he believes there's a lot of talented players who can make it abroad and offered to give advise personally.
"There's also those kind of Europe, the Scandinavia, the Belgium, those countries in Europe also they develop players, so players need to understand that and not to say 'only Europe'," he continued.
"But the agents also, what advice do we give the players, you know? Sometimes I look at certain players and say, 'Oh this guy is such a good football player, he can go out with his talent and play in a better league and earn more money but I'm conflicted, I can't say a lot because I don't want problems, like now I'm throwing a cat among the pigeons.
"But players are there, if you want to speak I'm available to give advice privately, you can call me," he added.
Read: Pitso Scoops Coaching Award As Promotion Push Continues
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
