At the time, Sundowns had not won a trophy in four years and club president Patrice Motsepe was chopping and changing coaches like it was a hobby.
Mosimane’s first job was to ensure Sundowns do not get relegated, as they finished in 10th place on 39 points in 2012/2013.
snl24.com/kickoff looks back at Mosimane’s seasons at the club, starting with his first full campaign in 2013/14. He is Sundowns' longest serving coach in the PSL era and their most successful.
Mosimane had to sign big in his first full season with the club because he joined them halfway through the previous campaign and there was not much he could do about the personnel. So when the opportunity was provided in 2013/2014, Mosimane brought in Kennedy Mweene, Bongani Zungu, Bryce Moon, Rashid Sumaila, Mukuka Mulenga, Dove Wome, Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila, Rodney Ramagalela, Tiyani Mabunda, Raymond Monama, Katlego Mashego and Mzikayise Mashaba.
This was one of the most incredible seasons. Despite being 10 points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs at one point, Sundowns did not give up. They went on to win the league. It was the beginning of it all for Mosimane.
Just as he did in the previous season, Mosimane was busy in the transfer market. He signed Mario Booysen, Rheece Evans, Asavela Mbekile, Siyanda Zwane, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Lindokuhle Mbatha, Ejike Uzoenyi, Bongi Ntuli, Luyolo Nomandela, Mogakolodi Ngele and Mame Niang. Themba Zwane returned from a loan spell from Mpuamalanga Black Aces.
It was not an easy season for the Brazilians, who were unable to defend their Absa Premiership title. Just when it looked like they would finish the season without silverware in the cabinet, Sundowns won the Nedbank Cup after they beat Ajax Cape Town on penalties in PE.
Fiston Abdul Razak, Soumahoro Bangaly, Leonardo Castro and Keagan Dolly joined Sundowns as Mosimane toned it down in the market.
After missing out on the title, Mosimane made it clear that he would be back to get it. And it’s exactly what he did, setting a record for the points tally (71) and beating the 69 set by Chiefs in the previous campaign. Sundowns, who finished a massive 14 points ahead of second-placed Bidvest Wits, also won the Telkom Knockout by beating Amakhosi 3-1 in the final in Durban.
Mosimane brought in Sibusiso Vilakazi, Thapelo Morena, Anele Ngcongca, Yannick Zakri, Lucky Mohomi, Ricardo Nascimento and Fares Hachi (January transfer window).
Sundowns were unable to win the league title, but they claimed the 2016 CAF Champions League and the 2017 Super Cup, beating Zamalek and TP Mazembe respectively. They took part in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2016.
This season Mosimane acquired the services of George Lebese, Oupa Manyisa, Thokozani Sekotlong, Rivaldo Coetzee and Razak Brimah.
Sundowns have so far missed out on the MTN8, Telkom Knockout and they could not defend their Champions League title. In the Absa Premiership, they are in fifth place on 16 points, three points behind log leaders Baroka FC with three matches in hand.