Pitso Mosimane, arguably Africa’s most successful coach in club football, now wants European clubs to cease what he terms as overlooking African coaches and instead grant them an opportunity.
Mosimane boasts 19 trophies in his coaching career, which includes three CAF Champions League titles. Nonetheless, he has never secured an offer or even attracted interest from Europe.
The 59-year-old, currently at the helm of Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates, says that the situation must change.
He argues, “Football is not about where you come from, football is not whether you’re from Africa or not. We can run around, escape and make excuses [but] Europe does not employ African coaches,” Mosimane said in an interview with AD Sports.
As per the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly head coach, notwithstanding Europe’s stature as a football powerhouse, it is not ready for African coaches hence the hesitation to open doors for them.
Mosimane offers that his mission entails constructing a legacy for African coaches, thereby expanding their opportunities to engage at the highest levels of coaching.
“Do you want the truth or we can talk differently, but I’m straight. Europe has to change its mentality with Africa,” he said.
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Mosimane argues that players of African origin have long borne the brunt of European football, citing the example of the 2018 World Champions, France.
According to the South African, European teams derive their power from African talent, and, hence, coaches from Africa should be granted opportunities in Europe to demonstrate their abilities, mirroring the chances that players have seized.
“[Kylian] Mbappe is African-based, these boys are African-based, N’Golo Kante is African-based, [Karim] Benzema is African-based. Europe, let’s be honest, is surviving in Africa. Look at the national team of France, who was playing? How many French people? The answer is clear: It’s Africa!”