Mamelodi Sundowns have appointed former Sweden national team coach Erik Anders Hamren as head of technical, in addition to snapping up two Platinum Stars players.

Hamren, who enjoyed a seven-year spell with the Swedish national team from 2009-2016 is set to bolster Masandawana’s technical team as he arrives with a wealth of experience, having coached in Denmark, Norway and his native country.

The 60-year-old was reported to have met with the former CAF Champions League winners in 2017 in a bid to bring him on board. Hamren has won three league titles, two during his time in Norway with Rosenborg and one during his time with Danish side Aalborg.

Speaking on his appointment, Hamren revealed to IOL Sport that the club’s ambition swayed him to join the Chloorkop-based outfit. The two-time Manager of the Year also revealed that he is looking forward to working with coach Pitso Mosimane.

‘When I was asked to come for an interview with Sundowns, I knew that it was one of the big clubs in South Africa and Africa,’ he said.

‘When I got to the club, I met a lot of people here, including the president [Patrice Motsepe]. When I heard the president’s ambition, I must say that I was really interested because it is an exciting challenge.

‘He wants so much for this club. It’s a challenge and I like challenges. I also think that the club can reach those heights. That’s why I am here.

‘With my knowledge and experience from Europe and the knowledge and experience the club has from Africa, I am sure that we are going to try to be as successful as the president wants. It’s really important that we are doing this together.

‘Football is about team work. I am really looking forward to working with coach Pitso and his team, all the coaches and the technical staff below the first team, because we are going to do this together.

‘I am going to be supporting and helping the coaches from the first team to the youth with my knowledge and experience, together with their knowledge and experience – especially with head coach Pitso – I am sure that it’s going to be a really good [working relationship].

‘I am looking forward to learning more about South African football. I am going to start my job with big eyes watching and big ears listening. I will get to know the club more,’ he said.

Sundowns have also bolstered their playing personnel with the signings of left-back Siyabonga Zulu and midfielder Katlego Otladisa both from Platinum Stars, as confirmed by coach Roger De Sa in the wake of his side’s 3-1 Absa Premiership loss to Ajax Cape Town on Friday night.

‘There are two players that will be sold on Monday – Zulu and Otladisa‚’ he said in post-match comments.

‘Otladisa has a broken leg and will only start playing again in about three months’ time‚ so he’s likely to stay with us another season. Zulu will join Sundowns‚ probably next week‚ and rightly so.

‘He’s got five months to go [on his contract]‚ he’s given his everything and has been fantastic. So for his good service‚ we take our hats off‚ say all the best and hopefully he becomes successful‚ that’s the way it should be.

‘How do you stop players from bettering their lifestyles and furthering their careers? There’s a human side of the game you’ve got to keep‚ it’s only right,’ he concluded.

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