Wednesday | September 09, 2020
They missed the the league title by a mere 2-point on the last day of the Premiership league race. From there, it was quite clear that something was going to give. In the end, the head coach was the sacrificial lamb for all and sundry.
Kaizer Chiefs axed their head coach Ernst Middendorp on Wednesday.
In their club announcement, Chiefs said:
“After reviews conducted by Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung and the club’s management, the Board met on Wednesday afternoon and a decision was made to part ways with coach Ernst Middendorp with immediate effect.”
The termination of the German’s coaching services follows Amakhosi’s failure to clincth the league despite leading the pack nearly the entire season.
Motaung made it clear in the club statement that they were expecting a trophy this season to coincide with “our 50th anniversary year”. In it, he underscored that the new for a culture of good football accompanied by trophies.
Middendorp was roped in in the middle of 2018/19 season. They finished outside of the top eight. Amakhosi have not won the league since 2014/15.
This season they came pretty close. The Soweto giant’s disappoint was palpable on Saturday after missing out to its cross-town rival Mamelodi Sundowns.
Objectively, ending the season on the 2nd position is an achievement on its own in comparison with finishing 9th the previous one. Although it may be so on face value, it seems to be not good enough for a club of Chiefs’ prestige.
Maybe the reasoning behind is informed by occupying the summit for almost the whole season. Again, at some point Amakhosi set a mind-blowing 13 points difference between them and the ultimate winners, Sundowns.
Chiefs have dismissed a number of coaches in recent years without any joy Motaung is hoping to bring with a new broom to be acquired soon.
Not many a name have been bandaid about more than the highly experienced former Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt. Pundits suggest he is the frontrunner for the hotseat of one of the premium football brands in Africa.
Will the new steward change Kaizer Chiefs’ fortunes and return them to the heydays? For now, thit is a moot point. The waiting begins for the new head coach.
South African international and European Championship League medalist Benni McCarthy is also tipped for the Chiefs top job to take over from Middendorp. McCarthy was fired for poor performance at Cape Town City FC recently.
However, the hunt for a new coach for Chiefs has begun. Without a doubt, their fans are biting their nails in suspense.
On a positive note, finishing 2nd on the log qualifies and marks, at the very least, Chiefs’ return to continental club football next season.