Is it arrogance
or confidence?
Mangaliso Maduna
In a world where ignorance and societal misconceptions are the norm,
confidence is sometimes mistaken
for arrogance. However, a bit of information and perspective can help.
There is a thin line between the
two. Just like a magnet with positive
and negative poles, arrogance and
confidence can be perceived from
the same respect. One person who
has been the subject of a widespread fan criticism for his constant
tantrums and his outspoken personality is none other than Mamelodi
Sundowns coach Pits Mosimane.
Since taking over from Dutch legend
Johan Neeskens, Mosimane has
shown a great deal of humility and
allowed his players to fully express
themselves. Mosimane is one of the
few coaches who keep fans glued
to their screens in anticipation of his
post-match comments.
The latter has been labeled as arrogant, egotistical and narcissist.
There has also been a diving opinion between those who perceive him
as passionate and those that see
him as a big mouth incapable of accepting a defeat with dignity. To succeed in modern football one needs
a bit of arrogance combined with
few elements of confidence. Modern
football requires brave managers
with bold personalities. It needs
game-changers. It needs managers
with the right attitude, right experi-
SPORT
ence, right passion and ambition.
Although Mosimane’s confidence
can be distasteful to others, it is an
inescapable fact that it also reflects
his infinite passion for the game.
Mosimane could be likened to
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Notoriously known for his rather
bizarre comments on players and
match officials, the Portuguese, is
one of the most misunderstood yet
controversial managers in world
football. Who can forget his impressive inaugural season in the Premier
League when he proclaimed himself
as “the Special One”. The fact of the
matter is that both Mosimane and
Mourinho are winners. Outspokenness is sometimes a sign of passion and self-confidence. If not for
their professional arrogance football
would be boring, trivial and ordinary.
In all fairness, a coach is to be
judged by results; and if that is the
case Mosimane would certainly
have the edge over his detractors.
Winning the league title was the
biggest highlight of his
career. Despite his unsuccessful stint with the national team, he still had
the courage and aspirations to search for another
worthy challenge. Least
and certainly not the last,
Pitso is confident not arrogant. Winning takes
many ways. It is not
about who can be the best
player or manager in the
world, but it is about those
individuals who have the
capacity to withstand all
trials and adversity directed at them and still
stand firm and without a
shadow of doubt Pitso is
amongst those.
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