Former Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows coach Ernst Middendorp has secured a new coaching job in the Tanzanian Premier League.
Ernst Middendorp returns to the African continent after a stint in his homeland of Germany.
On Friday, Singida Fountain Gate FC announced Middendorp as their new head coach for the 2023/24 season. He replaces Hans van Pluijm, who was in charge at the club for a year.
Singida Fountain Gate FC competes in the Tanzanian’s Premier Division alongside the famous clubs Simba SC and Young Africans.
“Welcome to the Sunflower Hills of Singida, coach Ernst Middendorp,” reads the club statement.
The German left Africa in March when he unexpectedly resigned from his position as head coach of Moroka Swallows FC. He then joined SV Meppen in Germany, who were at the bottom of the 3. Liga at the time.
Despite SV Meppen’s relegation to the Regionalliga Nord, the German club announced they would retain the experienced coach Middendorp.
However, Middendorp left the club and was recently spotted in Johannesburg watching his former team, Chiefs, defeat AmaZulu FC 3-0 at FNB Stadium.
ERNST MIDDENDORP JOINS SINGIDA FOUNTAIN GATE
Middendorp, with a long history of coaching in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), has managed at least six clubs, including two stints with Kaizer Chiefs and four with Maritzburg United.
Other clubs the 64-year-old has led in the PSL include Chippa United, Bloemfontein Celtic, Free State Stars, and Golden Arrows.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Ex-Pirates coach Zinnbauer lands new job in North Africa
In addition. Middendorp has enjoyed stints in Ghana at Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. He also coached in Ethiopia at Saint George SC in 2020.
He will be expected to hit the ground running in Tanzania as the season has already started. Singida Fountain Gate FC are ninth on the log standings with two points after opening their campaign with two draws against Tanazian Prisoners and Tabora.
Middendorp’s new club also competes in the CAF Confederation Cup, and they recently booked a place in the second round.