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The highly-successful coach has lashed out at European teams for ignoring African coaches yet they are more qualified than some of the tacticians currently employed in major leagues
South African coach Pitso Mosimane has claimed that European teams and clubs deliberately ignore African coaches not because they are not qualified but because of where they come from.
The highly-experienced coach, who won numerous titles with Mamelodi Sundowns in his native South Africa, before doing the same at Egyptian giants Al Ahly, took over his first job out of the continent last year when he led Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli.
Mosimane helped the club secure promotion back to the Saudi Pro League but was not allowed to continue the project when the country started splashing money on big-name footballers in the summer, taking over Al-Wahda of the United Arab Emirates where he still is to date.
However, the three-time CAF Champions League winner feels he is as good as any coach around the world but he is being overlooked by European clubs, just like other African coaches, because they come from the continent.
“Football is not about where you come from but we have to tell the truth and look at the way it is and its effect,” Mosimane told AD Sports.
“We can run around and we can escape and make excuses but Europe simply does not employ African coaches.
“My job is to build the trust and legacy of African coaches and make them say ‘Look, I think there’s something in Africa’, give them a chance.
“Europe is not ready to accept an African coach yet. They come to Africa to buy players to help them win the Champions League.”
Mosimane then laid into the European teams for not valuing African players yet they help them win big trophies.
“Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah came to help Liverpool win the Champions League just like Neymar and Messi,” he added.
“If you check the transfers, how much was paid for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah and how much was paid for South America?
“They have to change their mentality with Africa. Kylian Mbappe is African-based, same as N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema. Europe is feeding off Africa.
“Yesterday I was watching the Champions League and all the African players were playing. From George Weah, Tony Yeoba to Abedi Pele, they all won it.
“Where is the African coach in all of this? They only have African players. So, you can say that African coaches must have a certain quality. Well, I am here,” he added.
Mosimane then highlighted his accolades as something that should have secured him a job in Europe long time ago since he has achieved more than some tacticians working in the major leagues.
“How many coaches in Europe won the Champions League three times? Not many. Pep Guardiola maybe three or four times and Jurgen Klopp once, so it’s difficult,” he continued.
“If I win the Champions League in Africa, doesn’t that mean I am also capable of winning it in Asia or Europe? Do you think a club like Bayern Munich will come to me?
“In reality, they won’t but let’s not talk about Bayern. Let’s talk about Red Bull Salzburg, Leipzig or West Ham. Do you think they have a coach who won trophies like me? None of them do.”
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