Recently departed former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has set the record straight regarding rumours that have kept popping up about him taking up a job at Kaizer Chiefs.
Mngqithi was, somewhat surprisingly, let go by Sundowns, as confirmed by the club in a press conference on Tuesday.
This is despite the team sitting top of the pile when it comes to the Betway Premiership standings, with one defeat from eight matches so far.
READ | Teko calls out 'bad habits' at Chiefs
The straight-talking tactician had taken over their reigns in July, after the club parted ways with Rulani Mokwena - who leapt at the opportunity to become head coach of Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca soon afterwards.
During that period, Mngqithi's name had been regularly mentioned in the same sentence as Chiefs, who had fired interim head coach Cavin Johnson after a disastrous campaign that saw the Soweto giants finish 10th.
Multiple reports claimed that the former Golden Arrows mentor had held intimate talks with the Amakhosi management over a possible move to the south of Johannesburg.
Speaking on 907's MSW on Wednesday night, he opened up on whether there was any possibility of joining the most-supported club in South Africa.
"There was never any talks with Kaizer Chiefs," Mngqithi emphasized.
"I always hear people saying I refused to take the Chiefs job, but it's just rumours. There was never anything, there was never an approach [from Chiefs]."
Later in the same interview though, Mngqithi did reveal that he held talks with Chiefs before joining Sundowns back in 2014.
"I remember at that time, I had an approach from Chiefs, prior to Sundowns," Mngqithi added.
"So I did my presentation at Chiefs and all that and then suddenly Sundowns came when there was a slight delay at Chiefs and I took that opportunity. I did not even want to chat with Chiefs. To ask what had happened."
The Glamour Boys eventually went back for Tunisian-Belgian Nasreddine Nabi to begin what is understood to be a long-term project.
Mngqithi is unlikely to be on the unemployment queue for long, with Arrows tipped to be favourites for his signature.
READ | No Kevin De Bruyne, but Downs beat Man City AGAIN
That rumour has gained traction with Mabhudi Khenyeza said to have resigned from the club.
Richards Bay FC are also in the hunt for a coach.