Maritzburg United on Monday appointed German born Ernst Middendorp as their new coach.
Middendorp, who coached Kaizer Chiefs from 2002 to 2005 and won the Supa 8 Cup, the Absa Cup and Vodacom Challenge while in charge of Amakhosi faces a tough baptism in his return to the Premier Soccer League against Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United at Loftus on Saturday.
Middendorp replaces Gordon Igesund who quit last week.
Igesund is rumoured to be heading for Free State Stars as their head coach.
”We had 28 applications for the job. But we believe that we have signed the right man for the job. Middendorp really impressed the board with his presentation,” said Maritzburg CEO Afzal Khan.
”The fact that he is familiar with the PSL and PSL players and won three trophies with Chiefs gave him a big edge over the other applicants for the post. We are delighted to have hired him.”
Middendorp started his duties with the KwaZulu Natal outfit on Monday on a one-year contract with an option to renew.
Khan said Middendorp, who also coached Arminia Bielefeld in the German Bundesliga, had a mandate to ensure that United finish in a respectable mid-table position at the end of the season.
”A place in the top eight would be the cherry on top but we will be happy this season to end in a respectable position,” said Khan.
Igesund managed to save the club from relegation last season. He took over as coach a month before the start of the season with no real quality players and faced a rearguard battle throughout last season. He quit after United were drubbed 4-0 by high-riding Santos in their last match before the Fifa international break.
”Igesund and the club parted amicably but we believe it is time to move on and Middendorp, with his knowledge of having coached in Germany and the PSL, will take us forward,” said the CEO. — Sapa