While Kaizer Chiefs’ downward spiral has ironically gained momentum since the firing of Ernst Middendorp, the German-born coach is being described as ”a saviour” by Armenia Bielefeld after guiding the Bundesliga club out of a serious relegation hole.
Chiefs, for their part, are battling desperately under interim coach Kosta Papic to avoid the ignominy of finishing outside the top eight teams in the Premier League and failing to qualify for next season’s Supa8 competition.
The PSL website’s German correspondent reports that delighted Bielefeld supporters were proclaiming Middendorp a hero following a victory over Bundesliga title contenders Werder Bremen — a success that has taken the club out of the immediate relegation zone.
It was a strikingly different kind of reception for Middendorp from that which he received at Chiefs only weeks earlier as supporters bayed for his blood and the club’s management made him the scapegoat for the team’s indifferent form and poor results.
Such are the vagaries of the soccer coaching profession, described once as more dangerous than that of stunt driver Evel Knievel hurtling over the Niagara Falls on a motor bike.
Since Middendorp’s departure, Chiefs have managed only five points out of a possible 15 from their five games under Papic.
At least one PSL club is now actively pursuing the possibility of installing Middendorp as their coach next season — although it remains uncertain whether he will remain in Germany with Bielefeld. – Sapa