Miguel Cardoso (football manager)

José Miguel Azevedo Cardoso(born 28 May 1972), known asMiguel Cardoso, is a Portuguesefootballmanager, who is currently the manager ofSouth African PremiershipclubMamelodi Sundowns.
Born inTrofa, Cardoso graduated inPhysical Educationand Sports with specialization in football in 1995 and concluded a Masters inSports Sciencein 1998 in the College of Sports Science and Physical Education at theUniversity of Porto.He started his coaching career in 1993, taking overS.C. Espinho's under-12 squad.
Cardoso joinedFC Portoin 1996, initially asFernando Freitas' assistant in the under-10 team.He later progressed through the club's youth setup, becoming a fitness coach of theB-teamin 1999,and being appointed in charge of the under-15s in 2003.
In April 2004, Cardoso moved toC.F. Os Belenensesand became the first team's fitness coach.On 10 May 2006, he followed former Belenenses managerCarlos CarvalhaltoS.C. Braga, with the same role.
In September 2007, Cardoso was namedDomingos Paciência's assistant atAssociação Académica de Coimbra.He continued to work as Paciência's second man at Braga,Sporting CPandDeportivo de La Coruña.
On 12 June 2013, Cardoso was presented atFC Shakhtar Donetsk, being appointed manager of the under-21 squad while also working as a coordinator for the club's youth setup.Ahead of the 2016–17 season, he becamePaulo Fonseca's assistant at the first team.
Cardoso left Shakhtar on 8 June 2017.
On 12 June 2017, Cardoso was appointed at the helm ofPrimeira LigaclubRio Ave F.C., replacing departingLuís Castro.After achieving three wins and a draw againstS.L. Benficain his first four matches in charge, he was awarded the "Manager of the Month" for August.
Cardoso led Rio Ave to a best-ever campaign in the top flight, finishing fifth (the club's best-ever position shared with the1981–82 seasonunderFélix Mourinho), winning 51 points (beating the 50 reached byPedro Martinsin2015–16) and achieving qualification to theUEFA Europa League.
On 13 June 2018, Cardoso was appointed as manager of FrenchLigue 1sideFC Nantes, replacingClaudio Ranieri.He left the club on 2 October, after only obtaining six points in eight league matches.
On 12 November 2018, Cardoso took overLa LigasideRC Celta de Vigo, in the place of sackedAntonio Mohamed.He gained international attention for his first press conference, in which he accidentally said that he was the manager of theirrivalsDeportivo de La Coruña.The following 3 March he too was dismissed, with theGaliciansa place and two points above the relegation zone.
On 28 May 2019, Cardoso was appointed as head coach of GreekSuper LeaguesideAEK Athens F.C., replacingManolo Jiménezon a two-year deal.He was fired on 25 August after just four matches, his third dismissal in twelve months.
After over a year out of work, Cardoso returned to Rio Ave on 29 January 2021, on an 18-month deal.His teamcame 16th, and had to faceF.C. Aroucain a play-off for top-flight survival. They lost 5–0 on aggregate;between the two games the termination of his employment was informally arranged, and he was barred from the training ground.
On 12 January 2024, Cardoso was appointed as head coach ofTunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1sideEspérance Sportive de Tunis, replacingTarek Thabet.
After being sacked by Espérance in October 2024 following a poor start to the season,South African PremiershipclubMamelodi Sundownsappointed Cardoso in December 2024.
Espérance de Tunis