Swallows appoint Middendorp as new head coach

Swallows FC have confirmed the appointment of Ernst Middendorp as their new head coach.

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The former Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United mentor joins the Dube Birds on a three-year deal, the club announced on Thursday.

In October, Phakaaathi reported that Middendorp was helping out at Swallows as the club and that the German coach could join the club after taking a break from coaching.

Now Swallows have confirmed his appointment as their new coach.

“Coach Middendorp comes with a wealth of experience and we believe he will be the right person to guide the club in the right direction,” read a statement from Swallows.

Swallows have been without a permanent head coach after the club parted ways with Dylan Kerr in September following a poor start to the season. Assistant coach Musa Nyatama acted as an interim coach until the Fifa World Cup break.

It is not clear if Middendorp will retain Nyatama as his assistant or if he would opt for a new right hand man, but the German mentor has in the past been full of praise of Nyatama, it will come as a surprise if he does not retain him.

In their statement, Swallows did not indicate whether Nyatama would stay on or not, instead they praised him for what he did in his role as a caretaker coach.

“We thank Coach Musa and his technical team, who steered the ship on an interim basis while the search was on for the head coach.”

Swallows are currently in position 14 on the DStv Premiership standings and Middendorp’s immediate task would be to take the team out of the relegation quagmire.