Kaizer Chiefs’ former coach, Ernst Middendorp, is not convinced that most players at Amakhosi, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have the mental strength to cope with the pressure at those big clubs.
Middendorp, one of the longest-serving coaches in the PSL, has raised questions about the mentality, signings, and expectations of playing for the big three.
According to the ex-Cape Town Spurs coach and technical director at Durban City FC, natural talent and ability alone are not enough to cut it at the highest levels like Amakhosi, the Buccaneers, and Masandawana.
Speaking on The Wash 2.0 Podcast, Middendorp reflected on the expectations placed on players and coaches operating at elite clubs, including South Africa’s ‘Big Three’.
ERNST MIDDENDORP: TALENT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SURVIVE IN GAUTENG
Middendorp, whose managerial career began in Germany, where he served as manager for VfB Alstätte, Eintracht Nordhorn, VfB Rheine, FC Gütersloh, Arminia Bielefeld, KFC Uerdingen 05, and VfL Bochum, expanded across Africa and Asia, taking on the role of coach at Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in the Ghana top-flight league.
In the latter part of his career, he became a fixture in South African football as coach for Maritzburg United [renamed Durban City FC], Golden Arrows, Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, and Free State Stars.
His more recent appointments include serving as coach of Ethiopian giants Saint George and Singida Fountain Gate in Tanzania, and as technical director at FC Bangkok in Thailand.
The German coach believes there is an inaccuracy about what it takes to survive at big clubs in Gauteng. He argues that many players are technically gifted but struggle with the psychological demands that come with playing in front of demanding fan bases.
Middendorp also turned his attention to recruitment, suggesting that clubs must be more critical when identifying players who can cope with the weight of expectation. He pointed to young talents as examples of players with ability, but questioned whether they are ready for the biggest stage.
NO CHANCE FOR ASANELE VELEBAYI AND LUKE BAARTMAN
Middendorp did not hold back when assessing players he has seen in and around the PSL’s top clubs, as well as those being linked with big moves.
“Everybody thinks you can play for Kaizer Chiefs, everybody thinks you can play for Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns,” Middendorp said on The Wash 2.0 podcast.
“Everybody thinks you can coach [those teams]. I am not talking about the head coach only, I am also talking about the conditioning side, the analyst, and the level of all the experts around. Up to 10 [technical team members].
“I have seen a lot and worked with a lot of players who are or have been in the squad of Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns. I can say no chance for those players. They don’t have the required mentality, the resilience, not good enough. The players are not ready. They get excited. You see them so excited to go into the Orlando Stadium. They need 90 minutes to get it, and then the game is over.
“It is the mentality side, where you have to check also the recruitment side. There you have it. You can have Asanele Velebayi as an example. You can sign him. Fantastic player, everything looks good, nice, exciting, entertaining, perfect. You can take Luke Baartman, also a fantastic, lovable guy, also superb, but playing for Kaizer Chiefs? In the stage where they are, no chance,” Middendorp concluded.
Despite missing pre-season due to legal disputes with CT Spurs, Velebayi has clocked 13 appearances for Amakhosi this term. Baartman, however, has found game time harder to come by, making only six appearances after navigating the same legal challenges.
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