Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Brent Carelse has commented on the change of style of play at the side under head coach Manqoba Mngqithi and what the future could hold for the 53-year-old tactician.
Sundowns were bundled out of the MTN8 in the semi-finals after losing both legs by a 1-0 score-line to Stellenbosch FC.
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There were signs of teething problems with a new system implemented by Mngqithi in their first official game of the season, after they needed an own goal in extra-time to edge Polokwane City 1-0.
Despite promising signs in the second stanza of the semi-final first leg against Stellies, The Brazilians are actually yet to score a goal in three consecutive 90 minutes, which has left their supporters fuming and nostalgic about the time when former Rulani Mokwena was in charge.
However, given that Mngqithi has changed the style of play from what the players were used to under Mokwena, Carelse says normally, in such circumstances, it takes time for players to get used to a new system, but it should not be used as an excuse.
"Obviously if it has changed. It's going to take time, you know, because obviously the players were used to a different way, so maybe that's one of the reasons [they were knocked out by Stellies]," Carelse told KickOff.
"But Sundowns, the players and everyone that's there know that it's not an excuse as well, they always want to win. That's the disappointment, that they did not advance to the final."
Already, sections of supporters do not see light at the end of the tunnel under Mngqithi and just how long should management be patient, if the results are not coming?
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"Whoever the head coach is there, they will always have that pressure of the club wanting them to win everything. I don't know what the management would do, but we need a little bit of patience, especially with a change of the style of play," the ex-SuperSport United man went on.
"I don't know, obviously [if they would be patient], but Sundowns is a big club that wants to win everything, so that tells you what type of pressure the coach is under, you know."