The Sundowns think tank

KICK OFF: Coach thanks for talking to us. What are the fundamentals of modern-day coaching?

Manqoba Mngqithi: Your competence levels are important in understanding the trends as prescribed by maybe some of the top teams in Europe who are trendsetters. You must be curious and always have this inquisitive mind that makes you think about what makes Liverpool or Bayern Munich what it is now. Then know what philosophy you prescribe to, which then informs your training methodology and recruitment policy. Good coaches are also expected to be good leaders in the sense of humanness, intelligence, and courage because in a team sport you are dealing with different characters. You must try to be the bigger boy as a coach because the physiotherapist, doctor, masseur, biokinesticist, kit man, analysts, groundsmen, security and people at the office are all looking up to you. You are not only leading the players but the team which needs to have confidence in your leadership. That confidence cannot be bought at Pick ’n Pay, but you must earn it by doing the right things and leading the team in the right direction.

So a background of having played professional football is no longer necessary for a successful career in coaching …

When you have not played the game at the highest level you dig deeper to make an impression. You must go far beyond what a legend who has played the game does to make it in football. Knowing that you don’t have that base, you