COACH ERNST: WE’RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING TO TURN THINGS AROUND
1 December 2020
Newly appointed head coach Ernst Middendorp is determined to galvanise Maritzburg United and get the team moving up the DStv Premiership standings.
Middendorp returned ‘home’ to Pietermaritzburg for a fourth spell at the club last week after what has been a tough start to the season in terms of results.
It is more than a decade since he first arrived in the City of Choice, and he feels that the overall structure of the club has gone from strength to strength in that period.
On the field the Team of Choice have achieved four top eight finishes since 2015 and they have also reached two cup finals since 2018.
Off the field a lot has happened too, including an official merchandise store, and the club’s support base has grown to become known as one of the best in South Africa.
"Maritzburg is a club I've known through the years, from 2009,” Middendorp proclaimed. “Today it's 2020, meaning I am definitely someone who can make an assessment about how the club has developed, has progressed.
“If I see the athletics centre, if I see the offices here, if I see the stadium. If I see the development on the fans side “Unfortunately at the moment with the pandemic its not possible to put this (supporters) parameter [into affect], but it will come back (fans returning to the stadiums).
“I think [the club has moved] in the right direction. Huge development, huge progress.”
In terms of the current squad, Middendorp is looking forward to working with the players at his disposal.
“The players they brought in, I believe in the quality. Of course they lost some players, and it takes a little bit of time to really get it sorted. Looking forward for me is the most important parameter.“Analyzing our own advantages is a priority, Building the confidence and the belief,” he added.
Middendorp also appealed to the supporters, the Blue Army, to keep the faith, even if that means remotely for now rather than at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
“Despite not being able to support the team, I feel its very important that the players can feel the support; everybody is on social media. It doesn't matter if you are 62 or 21 or 15, a lot stuff can be said to support and inspire the team, inspire the players individually.
“I'm sure the team, individually and collectively will do everything to turn things around and produce a better future,” he concluded.
United are next in action on Saturday night – at home against Mamelodi Sundowns.
* MARITZBURG UNITED'S OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WILL PROVIDE FURTHER NEWS UPDATES, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFO:
|
