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Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso insists recognition isn't important to him
The Portuguese tactician oversaw Sundowns' successful CAF Champions League campaign, culminating in a final victory over Morocco's AS FAR Rabat in May. The triumph delivered the Brazilians their second title in the competition, nine years after their maiden success under Pitso Mosimane in 2016.
The latest continental crown ended Sundowns' lengthy wait for another Champions League trophy, although it was the only major silverware they collected last season.
Their domestic campaign proved less successful, with Orlando Pirates taking the Betway Premiership title, while Sundowns also came up short in the other domestic competitions.
Cardoso was subsequently asked whether he believes he has received sufficient appreciation for his role in ending the club's continental drought.
However, the Sundowns boss made it clear that praise is not his primary concern. His attention remains firmly centred on the collective, with the players taking precedence over any individual recognition.
Cardoso also played down his own contribution to the achievement, arguing that the squad should receive the credit for Sundowns' success.
"Regarding recognition, look, I don't work for recognition at all. It's finished that time for me. I was younger already. When I was younger, I thought that recognition would be very important," said Cardoso.
"I just work for living, for life, to enjoy. Believe me, I work to enjoy a lot. And because I don't enjoy my family as much as I would like, I have to enjoy my job. There's a lot of things that I already miss that have to do with life. And that is the most important thing, you know.
"For me, the job is pleasure. It's a pleasure for me, pleasure for my family that is there. My father was also a coach, a football player, a sportsman all his life. And he will one day die watching his son fighting for the man he made grow.
"And recognition, I don't really take it personal. I just enjoy and I let my players have the credit of everything I do and I can do for them."
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