Kadodia Breaks Silence On Middendorp’s Exit
Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia says the sudden departure of technical director Ernst Middendorp was purely due to the expiry of his contract.
Middendorp left the club this past week, marking the end of his second stint with City this season.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach — who previously had four spells in charge of Maritzburg United before the club was rebranded as Durban City at the start of last season — initially joined during the off-season.
He first exited in October amid reports that he did not see eye to eye with coach Gavin Hunt, who had also arrived during the off-season.
After Hunt was dismissed in December following a defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Middendorp returned to his technical director role. His return coincided with the appointment of Sinethemba Badela that same month.
However, Badela — who was recommended by Middendorp — endured a brief spell at the club, lasting just 44 days and overseeing only three matches.
With Pitso Dladla currently serving as caretaker coach, Middendorp’s services were no longer required, Kadodia explained.
“Middendorp came for short spells,” Kadodia told Sportswire after City’s 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
“He was here to help settle in Badela and prepare us for January with the DStv Diski Challenge. At the end of February, that contract came to an end, and both parties agreed not to continue.”
When Kadodia brought the experienced German back at the start of the season, he maintained that Middendorp would not return to coaching duties following his difficult spell at Cape Town Spurs.
Spurs were relegated from the Betway Premiership to the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the 2023/24 season. The club then suffered another relegation at the end of last season, dropping from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the ABC Motsepe League — an amateur regional league in Cape Town.
Based on this record, Kadodia reiterated that Middendorp would not coach the club, despite the veteran tactician’s desire to return to the dugout.
