South African manager Pitso Mosimane was not considered for the managerial position at Raja Casablanca following the departure of Bosnian coach Rusmir Cviko.
The Moroccan giants dismissed Cviko after just 64 days in charge, during which he oversaw six matches.
Head coach position
While he managed to help the team qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage, he suffered two losses in five league games, leading to his dismissal.
Reports quickly emerged linking ex-Al Ahly and Bafana Bafana boss Mosimane with the vacant head coach position.
However, according to Koora, Raja Casablanca did not enter into negotiations with Mosimane.
Mosimane has been without a job since departing Saudi Arabian club Abha last season, having failed to keep them up in the Saudi Pro League.
Since departing Al Ahly, Mosimane also had spells with Saudi giants Al Ahli, whom he guided to the Saudi second division title, and Emirati giants Al-Wehda, who he coached for just 10 games until November 2023.
Raja Casablanca turned to Ricardo Sá Pinto
Instead, Raja Casablanca appointed 52-year-old Portuguese manager Ricardo Sá Pinto as their new head coach.
The appointment marks Sá Pinto’s first venture into African football, although he does possess a wealth of experience across Asia, Europe and South America.
Notably, he managed Portuguese giants and his boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon.
His managerial resume also includes stints at APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, Gaziantep FK in Turkey, Legia Warsaw in Poland, Standard Liège in Belgium, and Greek sides Atromitos Athens and OFI Crete.
He also took charge of Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, as well as SC Braga, Belenenses, and Moreirense in his native Portugal.
In Asia, Sá Pinto led Iranian club Esteghlal FC and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fateh, while in South America, he managed Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.
Throughout his career, Sá Pinto has won three major trophies: the Belgian Cup with Standard Liège, the Iranian Super Cup with Esteghlal FC, and the Cypriot League with APOEL Nicosia.
Where do you predict Pitso Mosimane ends up coaching next?
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