Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
With Kaizer Chiefs finishing outside the top eight for the first time in over a decade and suffering the humiliation of losing a cup final against lower division minnows, the question is whether coach Ernst Middendorp will stay or be relieved of his duties.
Immediately after the defeat to National First Division side, TS Galaxy at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, the 60-year-old German mentor became enemy No. 1 to Amakhosi’s fans.
Asked if he would consider vacating his position after the humiliating loss, Middendorp said it would be a rash decision to make.
“If the question is why I should stay in this job, I’ll discuss that with the management of Kaizer Chiefs, and not here in public,” said the former Maritzburg United mentor.
READ: Where to now for shameful Chiefs?
Middendorp said the decline of Amakhosi has been gradual over the years and that is a matter that should be attended to rather than looking at only him as being the problem. He joined Chiefs in December and looked to be steering the ship in the right direction until the last seven games where the wheels came off.
“There is a reason things did not happen over the last few years. You have to find a reason as to why there’s been a decline over the past few years, especially after finishing a season like this. But please, let’s not make emotional decisions,” he said.
Emotional decisions have however already been made at the team with Hendrick Ekstein’s sudden firing after he couldn’t agree on a new contract one of the questionable moves the club has made. Some have blamed the side’s loss of form to the sudden dismissal of Ekstein and other players before the season ended.
When asked if the Glamour Boys supporters deserved what the team delivered this season, Chiefs’ brand manager Jessica Motaung and her sister Kemiso Motaung, who is digital manager interjected and mumbled that the fans didn’t deserve it before storming out of the media conference venue.
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