Maritzburg United have parted ways – for the fourth time – with head coach Ernst Middendorp after a disappointing 2021/22 season. Photo: Backpagepix
Maritzburg United back Ernst Middendorp amidst Bundesliga partnership
Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp has received an endorsement from club chairman Farook Kadodia.
Maritzburg United have parted ways – for the fourth time – with head coach Ernst Middendorp after a disappointing 2021/22 season. Photo: Backpagepix
Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp has received an endorsement from club chairman Farook Kadodia.
Kadodia described Middendorp as the best man for the job. Maritzburg United’s new partnership with Bundesliga outfit Arminia Bielefeld is a promising one.
The Team of Choice hopes to put the struggles of 2021 behind them. And Middendorp will be the man to helm those efforts.
Middendorp is in the midst of a second stint in Sleepy Hollow. There have been bright spots.
Maritzburg United back Ernst Middendorp
Middendorp helped Bielefeld win promotion to the Bundesliga in 1996, seeing them return to the top-flight for the first time since the reunification of Germany.
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There has been pressure on Middendorp, however, this new alliance would appear to have cemented his place at the helm for now.
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“I think again, this whole partnership revolves around youth football. The coach will be key in communication between clubs and at the moment is the right person to do so with his experience in the country and Germany,” Kadodia explained to the media.
” I don’t think we should be short-sighted. Middendorp’s value is important to this club,” he added.
Maritzburg are on a ten-match winless run in all competitions, however. Meaning fans might have reservations.
A bright future for Pietermaritzburg
According to Kadodia, covers exchange programmes, sharing of scouting expertise. They will also look to foster the development of talent from both South Africa and Germany.
“We at Maritzburg United Football Club are incredibly excited to announce this agreement.”
They are thrilled to be allied “with a club competing in one of the most successful leagues in Europe. DSC Arminia Bielefeld has a rich history in German football and will create a wealth of new opportunities and experiences for our club.
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“This agreement will also bring benefits to both our club and our City of Pietermaritzburg at large,” Kadodia remarked, adding that some members of the Team of Choice’s technical team have a history with Bielefeld.
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“Our head coach, Ernst Middendorp, was contracted at Bielefeld on three different periods and was elected as the coach of the century in 2005 when Bielefeld celebrated its 100th anniversary. Our goalkeeper coach Rowen Fernandez and ex-player Delron Buckley also played for Bielefeld.”
Maritzburg United sit 13th in the PSL. United can improve their fortunes, however, when they face SuperSport in the Nedbank Cup on 9 February. Will Middendorp be backed, however, if Maritzburg United are relegated?
