Maritzburg United will put coach Ernst Middendorp's performance in the 2021-22 season under the microscope in a meeting on Thursday, where chairperson Farook Kadodia will ask the coach to instil confidence that the club will not fight relegation this season.
Maritzburg went into the Christmas and Africa Cup of Nations break wallowing in 13th place with three wins from 18 games, plus six draws and nine defeats for just 15 points gained past the halfway stage.
“The meeting is on Thursday. Basically it is that I just need him to give me the confidence that I need in him to take the club forward,” Kadodia told TimesLIVE on Tuesday.
“Every time he came in [to Maritzburg previously] it was in a high pressure situation — this time he has put the club into a high pressure situation.”
Kadodia said that it was a concern for the club that the notoriously combustible Middendorp has been seen arguing with Maritzburg fans on social media, and made public statements about his squad at United.
“The reality is that the coach should not play the blame game, and point fingers at the players or the team or whoever. It's a team that he assembled.”
Middendorp is in his third stint at Maritzburg, who he famously saved from relegation from a near-impossible situation in the 2015-16 season, where a 3-1 win over Jomo Cosmos on the final day saw Ezenkosi drop to the First Division.
Taking over battling Maritzburg from Eric Tinkler in November 2020, 63-year-old Middendorp steered the club to 13th in 2020-21.
A technically strong coach, Middendorp's conservative tactics and erratic personality have been his downfall at his many clubs he has coached in the Premier League.
Maritzburg to put Middendorp under the microscope in meeting
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix/Gallo Images
Maritzburg United will put coach Ernst Middendorp's performance in the 2021-22 season under the microscope in a meeting on Thursday, where chairperson Farook Kadodia will ask the coach to instil confidence that the club will not fight relegation this season.
Maritzburg went into the Christmas and Africa Cup of Nations break wallowing in 13th place with three wins from 18 games, plus six draws and nine defeats for just 15 points gained past the halfway stage.
“The meeting is on Thursday. Basically it is that I just need him to give me the confidence that I need in him to take the club forward,” Kadodia told TimesLIVE on Tuesday.
“Every time he came in [to Maritzburg previously] it was in a high pressure situation — this time he has put the club into a high pressure situation.”
Kadodia said that it was a concern for the club that the notoriously combustible Middendorp has been seen arguing with Maritzburg fans on social media, and made public statements about his squad at United.
“The reality is that the coach should not play the blame game, and point fingers at the players or the team or whoever. It's a team that he assembled.”
Middendorp is in his third stint at Maritzburg, who he famously saved from relegation from a near-impossible situation in the 2015-16 season, where a 3-1 win over Jomo Cosmos on the final day saw Ezenkosi drop to the First Division.
Taking over battling Maritzburg from Eric Tinkler in November 2020, 63-year-old Middendorp steered the club to 13th in 2020-21.
A technically strong coach, Middendorp's conservative tactics and erratic personality have been his downfall at his many clubs he has coached in the Premier League.
READ MORE
PSL coaches whose futures could be in jeopardy next month
Sundowns’ wins, Shalulile’s goals, Swallows’ draws: PSL in numbers in 2021
Kaizer Chiefs end torrid December on a high with solid win against Maritzburg
Davids explains why Shandu has adapted so quickly at Pirates
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos