Middendorp Clarifies Durban City Role After Badela Exit

Durban City technical director Ernst Middendorp has moved swiftly to distance himself from speculation linking him with the vacant head coach role, following Sinethemba Badela’s sudden departure on Monday after just three matches in charge.

The experienced German football administrator addressed the matter on his social media, outlining both the timeline of his involvement with the club and his stance regarding the coaching position that has once again become available.

Middendorp’s clarification comes amid renewed uncertainty at the club after Badela, the former Wydad Casablanca assistant coach, was dismissed despite a short spell that yielded two wins and one defeat.

The former Kaizer Chiefs mentor first made it clear that he was not part of the club during a key moment earlier in the season.

“I was not connected to Durban City FC at the time the club released Gavin Hunt at the end of November 2025; I left the club at the end of September 2025,” Middendorp wrote on LinkedIn.

“I officially joined Durban City FC on 15 December 2025 in the role of Technical Director again. I have no interest in, nor have I pursued, the position of Head Coach at Durban City FC.”

Middendorp’s comments are significant given the sequence of changes at the club.

At the beginning of the season, the 67-year-old mentor joined the Durban club as technical director while Gavin Hunt was appointed head coach.

Middendorp then left City at the end of September. In December, City parted ways with Hunt, and Middendorp returned to the club as technical director once more.

The 2024/25 Motsepe Foundation Championship champions subsequently appointed the 36-year-old Badela as head coach, but his tenure has now also come to an abrupt end.