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Maritzburg United Counting On New Coach Ernst Middendorp
Maritzburg United have gone for a wealth of experience and technical knowledge in the appointment of coach Ernst Middendorp to replace Gordon Igesund.
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Nov 18, 2009 9:29:56 AM
The German coach won the Vodacom Challenge, Absa Cup and SAA Supa 8
with Chiefs in his first season in South Africa, finishing third in the league.
He was fired after a run of poor form midway through 2006-07. Since coaching the Amakhosi, Middendorp returned to his former club, Arminia Bielefeld, saving the Bundesliga side from relegation.
The following season, in-fighting and poor form saw the coach fired and then he coached Chinese team Changchun Yatai on an eight-month contract, taking the team from 12th to sixth place.
In May this year the coach joined Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, but was fired after the team was eliminated from the Europa League.
The coach has been back in South Africa since August — he has a house in Johannesburg — which he says will stand him in good stead on his return to the Premier Soccer League.
“I have attended many matches and watched all the teams in that time, which makes it a bit easier coming to Maritzburg. I already know all the players’ names here and a bit about their strengths and weaknesses. And of course I have an idea how the other teams play,” Middendorp told of The Witness.
The coach says he believes the squad he has inherited from Igesund has some potential.
“It’s difficult to make a judgement from the outside," he stated. "There have been some great results like a 1-1 draw against Pirates and beating Chiefs 1-0 in Johannesburg. Even when losing against Sundowns [5-1], the first half was really balanced, but in the end they got hammered.
“But it shows a bit of the situation. I see a lot of good players and a lot of young talent — Felix Obada, Chilis [Madondo], JB [Ncubeni], even a player like Rudolf Bester coming from Namibia at 26, for whom it’s a new world.
“There is space for improvement — the players can be developed as individuals and as a team. I don’t think we can expect [midfielder] John Arwuah back before January, but other guys like Elias Ngwepe and Bheka Phakathi have to take over.
“Of course it’s all about how they react to the new coach. Everybody’s different — Gordon is different, [Pirates coach Ruud] Krol is different, I am different. I have a clear understanding of what I want from the players and we don’t have much time, so the players have to improve.”
The transfer window opened on Sunday, but Middendorp said he will not buy hastily.
“We will have a clear look at what is available," he noted. "I’m not one to grab whatever is there. I think right now we really must focus on our team, and of course search to see if there are players not really being used elsewhere who are of good quality.”
He was fired after a run of poor form midway through 2006-07. Since coaching the Amakhosi, Middendorp returned to his former club, Arminia Bielefeld, saving the Bundesliga side from relegation.
The following season, in-fighting and poor form saw the coach fired and then he coached Chinese team Changchun Yatai on an eight-month contract, taking the team from 12th to sixth place.
In May this year the coach joined Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, but was fired after the team was eliminated from the Europa League.
The coach has been back in South Africa since August — he has a house in Johannesburg — which he says will stand him in good stead on his return to the Premier Soccer League.
“I have attended many matches and watched all the teams in that time, which makes it a bit easier coming to Maritzburg. I already know all the players’ names here and a bit about their strengths and weaknesses. And of course I have an idea how the other teams play,” Middendorp told of The Witness.
The coach says he believes the squad he has inherited from Igesund has some potential.
“It’s difficult to make a judgement from the outside," he stated. "There have been some great results like a 1-1 draw against Pirates and beating Chiefs 1-0 in Johannesburg. Even when losing against Sundowns [5-1], the first half was really balanced, but in the end they got hammered.
“But it shows a bit of the situation. I see a lot of good players and a lot of young talent — Felix Obada, Chilis [Madondo], JB [Ncubeni], even a player like Rudolf Bester coming from Namibia at 26, for whom it’s a new world.
“There is space for improvement — the players can be developed as individuals and as a team. I don’t think we can expect [midfielder] John Arwuah back before January, but other guys like Elias Ngwepe and Bheka Phakathi have to take over.
“Of course it’s all about how they react to the new coach. Everybody’s different — Gordon is different, [Pirates coach Ruud] Krol is different, I am different. I have a clear understanding of what I want from the players and we don’t have much time, so the players have to improve.”
The transfer window opened on Sunday, but Middendorp said he will not buy hastily.
“We will have a clear look at what is available," he noted. "I’m not one to grab whatever is there. I think right now we really must focus on our team, and of course search to see if there are players not really being used elsewhere who are of good quality.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
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