'I have my confidence and I know what I am doing‚' says new Chiefs coach Middendorp

10 December 2018 - 15:05 By Mninawa Ntloko
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Ernst Middendorp (head coach) during the Kaizer Chiefs media open day at Naturena on December 10, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ernst Middendorp (head coach) during the Kaizer Chiefs media open day at Naturena on December 10, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

New Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says he is stepping into his role a lot wiser than he was when he got the job in his initial stint in 2005.

The fiery German clashed with players‚ media and even with the fans during his incident-riddled first spell and the stormy relationship eventually came to an end when he was shown the door in March 2007.

His return to Naturena after Italian Giovanni Solinas was shown the door on Friday sent shockwaves across the country‚ with many Chiefs fans taking to social media and radio stations to register their unhappiness with the decision.

Middendorp conceded on Monday that he was very naive about South African football when he first came to these shore in June 2005 but has become a lot more accustomed to the culture of the local game after coaching at Maritzburg United‚ Lamontville Golden Arrows‚ Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic.

‘‘Coming into the country like it happened in 2005/2006 and not really knowing the environment and not really knowing the players‚ and taking over a team of this size and this brand‚ of course you discover everyday something new‚” he said.

‘‘I believe with the movement in the last few years of more than a decade‚ I have this background information (now) and I don’t have to look around and try to find out.

‘‘I never stopped observing the league‚ the PSL‚ every time I was here. I always go to the stadium and it doesn’t matter in which stadium and which team....... it’s another background now.

‘‘The background is definitely very important. On the other side I have my confidence and I know what I am doing.”

Chiefs are seventh on the premiership standings and they were struggling to keep up with leaders Orlando Pirates‚ BidVest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns under the much vilified Solinas.

Middendorp said he has studied Chiefs and some of the players are not playing to their true potential.

‘‘In addition you have a certain selection of players‚ a certain squad and I think probably they haven’t really shown their abilities and they haven't really shown their potential.

‘‘But I am aware about what players like (Lebo) Manyama for an example can do‚ coming out of a situation that was not really comfortable for him‚ not working out at the moment in the positive for the team‚ for club and for the brand.

‘‘But good‚ that is definitely a huge advantage if you compare 2005‚ 2006 and 2007 and with my beginning here in 2018.”

Chiefs face Supersport United at Mbombela Stadium in Middendorp’s first match at the helm on Wednesday night. 

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