ERNST Middendorp’s days as Maritzburg United coach look to be coming to an end.
The club, according to SunSport sources, have been locked in a long meeting discussing his future.
Maritzburg lost 2-0 to Chippa United, coached by their former player Kurt Lentjies, in their DStv Premiership match played at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
The win for Chippa saw the Eastern Cape-based club close the gap to Maritzburg to 13th on the table with 15 points after 16 matches, while Maritzburg are one spot ahead with a better goal difference.
Maritzburg have been struggling this season. They are without a win since beating TS Galaxy in September and it is nine games now without a win for the club. Even that win came with an own goal scored by Bathusi Aubaas. But ever since then, they have lost four and drawn five games.
Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia was not willing to talk about the coach’s future, only saying, “Please phone me after two hours.”
According to SunSport sources, the club has been locked in the meeting for hours in deciding the way forward if they are to give Middendorp more time or to part ways with him.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach joined Maritzburg last November on a three-year deal to replace Eric Tinkler.
At that time, Maritzburg were fighting for survival as they were at the bottom of the table with zero points after five matches.
However, the German-born coach assured the club management that he will rescue the club, as he did in the 2015-16 season. By March, Maritzburg had improved and ended up finishing 13th in the league.
It doesn’t get any easier for Maritzburg as they visit Kaizer Chiefs for their league clash at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm).
