The rumours surface just when Sundowns are experiencing a trying time, since their expectations are sky-high after their recent successes in Africa.

After an outstanding season in which they defeated AS FAR of Morocco in the final, Cardoso led the Brazilians to their second continental championship in 2025/26.

Sundowns have been able to keep up their competitiveness at home under the tutelage of the Portuguese coach, and they have added the MTN8 title to their collection this season.

Plus, he has shown time and time again that he can lead his team to success at the top level of African football by consistently making it to important continental finals.

The team's consistency and capacity to retain its continental supremacy have been legitimately called into doubt by the recent Champions League defeat.

As reigning champions, Sundowns will not be participating in this season's Champions League group stages after being defeated in the second preliminary round by Angolan side Wiliete SC.

After that, the 3-1 loss to USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup final at Loftus Versfeld didn't help fans' disillusionment much.

Despite these failures, the club's overall successes under Cardoso seem to remain an essential priority for the management.

In addition, the Carling Knockout is still going strong, with Sundowns having advanced to the semi-finals with a 1-0 win against Golden Arrows.

In that match, Iqraam Rayners scored the game-winning goal, which kept the Brazilians' chances of winning a domestic championship alive.

The remaining tournaments provide Cardoso a chance to regain confidence, address criticism, and show that Sundowns can still compete for big prizes.

Even beyond domestic achievement, the coach will know that Chloorkop has high expectations. The administration and supporters of the club are counting on them to be perennial title contenders in African football.

For now, however, the available information imply that Sundowns are choosing patience rather than rushing into a management choice.

The message from Chloorkop seemed clear: Cardoso still has work to do, but his job is not presently under urgent jeopardy. His next challenge will be turning the recent continental disappointments into a positive response on the pitch.

Source https://x.com/Soccer_Laduma/status/2120459319837667451?a=2aTF88igizdLAvYO2yU&s=19