Ernst Middendorp has returned to Kaizer Chiefs for his second spell. Middendorp was in charge of the team from 2005 to 2007.
He now returns to the team that is under pressure to get results. Amakhosi are seventh on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log and host their hoodoo team Supersport United in a midweek encounter.
“We need to show our abilities. We need to respect SuperSport. We need to perform on a high level.”
“I’m focusing on the league at the moment so that is the match against SuperSport. The second thing is to focus on the direction of the players.” – Coach Middendorp#HailTheChief pic.twitter.com/9dh1JerXt5
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) December 10, 2018
Kaizer Chiefs are under pressure especially with their big rivals Orlando Pirates playing so well. They recently fired their coach Giovanni Solinas.
Middendorp comes into the team hoping to get better results than the previous coach and knows that he will have to hit the ground running.
“For me it is important to see the players like in the last two days and the next two days before the match is coming to see what we can do, what direction we can implement some in terms of defence, in terms of attack and transition certain elements and we have put it immediately in the work on these two training sessions. Plus today, definitely we should mention the huge support from Arthur Zwane who was immediately available to put his knowledge and experience into it and now we have two days to find decision in terms of the structure probably is done what we expect to go for put the names to put in as a second stage and I will keep it open until Wednesday,” says Middendorp.
Senior player Bernard Parker says that the team is doing well in camp and is ready for the match against their voodoo team SuperSport United. He says that the players are responding well to the new coach.
“There’s been positive response from the players now wanting to prove themselves to the new coach and puts everybody on their toes to give good competition to their teammates and help the teammates to be the best. He can be so that’s what we need and the game coming up we know our opponents very well and we know they’ve been doing quite well with their coach. So the good thing about it is for us is we eager and we in that state where we wanna bounce back,” explains Parker.
Middendorp’s first match in charge of Chiefs against Supersport United on Wednesday evening was moved last week and will take place at the Mbombela Stadium at 19:30pm.
Meanwhle, former Bafana Bafana captain, Shaun Bartlett, has been appointed as Ernst Middendorp’s assistant at Chiefs.
Shaun Bartlett new assistant coach!!
Shaun Bartlett has been appointed as Ernst Middendorp’s assistant coach with immediate effect on a two and a half year contract.
We welcome him back to the Kaizer Chiefs Family.#HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/iUsPSOG2aD
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) December 10, 2018
He will join the coaching team immediately on a two-and-a-half year contract.
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