The PSL (Premier Soccer League) has announced the nominees for a category of awards that has led to much public debate over the years: Coach of the Season.
Having guided Mamelodi Sundowns to the league title in his first season in charge, albeit only joining in December, Miguel Cardoso will go up against league runner-up and MTN8 winner Jose Riveiro, as well as CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalist Steve Barker, for the honour.
Cardoso will fancy his chances, having guided the Chloorkop-based outfit to an impressive eighth consecutive league title at his first time of asking.
The run to that title featured a massive 24 victories from 28 matches and just three defeats. His side collected 73 points, leaving a 12-point gap between themselves and runners-up Pirates.
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That Bucs ship was guided by Riveiro, who in recent seasons has come closer than any other coach to unseating the Tshwane giants from the league title throne. The Soweto giants collected 19 wins from 28 matches, losing five and drawing four.
Third on the shortlist is Steve Barker, whose Stellenbosch FC have punched well above their weight and proven themselves to be genuine title contenders rather than mere dark horses in recent seasons.
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Barker was unfortunate to end the season without a single piece of silverware, having lost out to Pirates in the final of the MTN8, before being knocked out by Fadlu Davids' Simba SC in the semi-finals of theConfed Cup.
In the league, Stellies finished third with 13 wins.
