Sphelele Mthethwa

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has been named as the new coach of Maritzburg United.

Maritzburg announced on Thursday afternoon having 24 hours earlier placed Delron Buckley in temporary charge.

We extend a warm welcome home to Ernst and we look forward to renewing what has always been an amicable relationship,” club chairman Farook Kadodia said.

Minddendorp replaced former Bafana Bafana star Eric Tinkler, who guided the team to their second top-eight placing of seventh last season. However, he started 2020-21 with an MTN8 loss and four DStv Premierships defeats.

After leaving Chiefs at the end of the 2019/20 season, the 62-year-old mentor lasted only one month in Ethiopia where he coached Saint George before handing in his resignation to take the Maritzburg role.

Middendorp has coached United and will look to continue where he left off.

Maritzburg United is a club that I’ve known for a while. I first came in 2009 and now 2020 which gives me the right to assess them. There are development and progress from what we started in 2009″, said Middendorp

Fans were excited about the decision of the club to bring him back. Siboniso Masuku, a fan of Maritzburg said it’s a good decision to bring him back.

“I am delighted that the club brought someone who has experience with the team and I hope he succeeds,” said Masuku.

Maritzburg will host SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership on Friday.

Picture: Maritzburg United FC Twitter