Dutch legend Neeskens to coach Sundowns

Dutchman Johan Neeskens has been named as the new coach of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe made the announcement in Midrand today.

Neeskens is aware of the pressure involved in coaching one of the biggest clubs in South African soccer. According to reports, he has been told he must win the Premiership title in his first season.

Neeskens played in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup tournaments and has 20 years’ experience as a coach, dating back to 1991.  

  From 2006 to 2008, he was the assistant coach at Barcelona and last year he was the assistant coach at Galatasaray before signing with the local club.

He was recommended for the job by former Netherlands teammate and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.

   Along with Neeskens, the club said they had signed five new players for the coming season. This comes off the news that Sundowns had lost seven players.