AmaZulu Show Huge Interest In Middendorp

Legendary Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp is the frontrunner to take over at AmaZulu, Sportswire has been informed.

Usuthu are seeking a new coach after parting ways with Spanish international mentor Pablo Franco Martin a few days ago following three consecutive league losses. AmaZulu, rooted at the bottom of the table, are far from their season’s ambition of finishing in the top four.

This was the mandate given to Martin before the season began, but after the three losses, the club decided to terminate his contract. Sportswire was informed that Vusi Vilakazi, who coaches the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team, would assume the role on an interim basis, but it seems Usuthu have other plans.

Vilakazi has experience coaching at the highest level, having previously managed Golden Arrows, Chippa United, and Richards Bay. He successfully saved Richards Bay from relegation last season through the PSL Relegation and Promotion playoffs.

However, Middendorp is now the primary coach Usuthu have expressed interest in. The German-born coach has extensive experience in the top flight, with over 400 matches in the PSL. He is the only foreign coach to have managed so many games in the PSL.

Although he was relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season after Spurs finished last in the Betway Premiership, he was brought back by Cape Town Spurs to help them return to the Betway Premiership in the first attempt on a contract until the end of the season.

If Usuthu are keen to acquire Middendorp, they will need to negotiate with Spurs or Middendorp would have to resign and part ways mutually. However, it appears that Spurs may not be willing to let Middendorp go easily, as they highly regard him.

Middendorp has a long history in the PSL, having coached Kaizer Chiefs twice and won two cup trophies with the Soweto giants, Maritzburg United (now Durban City) four times, Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, Golden Arrows, and Moroka Swallows.

Another coach AmaZulu were interested in and were close to appointing was Clinton Larsen. The deal was 80% done, but internal factors within the club led to the appointment being canceled, and he remains with Magesi FC.