The lack of clarity from Mamelodi Sundowns on their technical team hierarchy and titles seems to suggest they are pre-empting an incoming head coach after Manqoba Mngqithi admitted someone will take over if they don't meet expectations.
Sundowns parted ways with former head coach Rulani Mokwena officially for not meeting "objectives and expectations of the club", as per the statement that was released.
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KickOff previously reported that the Brazilians were vetting foreign coaches, with a particular coach of Spanish background believed to have been a chosen candidate, after the likes of Patrice Carteron and Josef Zinnbauer were also reportedly considered.
This website's last update on the story was that the Tshwane giants have paused processes on appointing a foreign head coach and have decided to give Mngqithi a chance for now, although the idea of bringing someone new is not completely shelved.
According to a reliable source close to Sundowns operations, the Brazilians decided to read the room and did not want to upset supporters with a foreign coach, following a warning from fans that the club risks going back to pre-Pitso Mosimane era of so-called top coaches who could not bring success to the club.
However, this publication has been led to believe that Mngqithi has only been given the reins, only to prove or to ruin himself, as Sundowns would be able to justify bringing another coach if the former Golden Arrows mentor does not meet the expectations.
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Mngqithi has admitted that he would also not continue to lead the team if he does not do well.
"Any head coach has got a coach waiting to take over from him, if we don't do well, the expectation is easy that somebody must come and take over. If we do well, nobody will take over," Mngqithi said on 947's MSW.
The 53-year-old coach also clarified the pecking order of their technical team, that Steve Komphela, with a title of a senior coach, is actually above newly-appointed Romain Folz, who has the title of assistant coach.
"I think we're confusing ourselves, I don't think there's any confusion. I think the media statement that was given out when coach Steve was brought back to the club was that he's coming to assist me as a senior coach," Mngqithi said.
"Romain comes in as an assistant coach, which is so clear that he is operating a little below Steve Komphela and if Steve was coming to assist me and there's no other coach beyond me, at the moment I'm the one leading the team," the soft-spoken coach added.
The confusing titles of Sundowns' technical team could have much to do with suggestions, as per our source, that they were planning to bring a new head coach from abroad, who may still be waiting in the wings.
The Brazilians are yet to announce a new contract for Mngqithi, with a few days left before they open their 2024/25 season in the MTN8 quarter-finals against Polokwane City on Sunday.