Veteran coach Ernst Middendorp has opened up about his brief stint in
Germany with SV Meppen, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The 64-year-old tactician left South Africa in March after his sudden
departure from Moroka Swallows, and returned to his homeland to take
charge of Meppen.
He was later appointed the club’s Director of Football in May following
their relegation from Bundesliga 3. Middendorp is currently in South
Africa assessing his options, following his unexpected exit from Singida
Fountain Gate in Tanzania, where he was the head coach.
“It was fantastic. This was a specific project that I attended because it
was in my hometown and I really wanted to push to stay in the Bundesliga
3. Two matchdays more and I would have done it, and we would have made it.
But they should have done it two or three weeks earlier and I am 100% sure
that we would have made it,” he said.
The experienced coach revealed that he was determined to stay in Meppen,
despite offers from elsewhere.
“I didn’t want to leave because it’s my hometown and I was like, ‘I can’t
do this, I can’t leave’. I ignored everything else I had coming my way and
I had to decide between the Sporting Director and coaching positions. I
promised to put the team together which was going to be functional. I
planned on putting together a young team and the budget was absolutely
restricted,” he added.
Middendorp went on to explain that he took the necessary steps to ensure
a smooth transition when he left Meppen.
“I was clear to the club about it to say, ‘Okay, there will be a time
that I will be going out’. I even met with the coach who took over, I met
him three times. I met him during our pre-season and even during our first
game of the season I invited him, unfortunately he couldn’t come because
of certain things. So, what does it tell you? I prepare adequately to
ensure that there is a sustainable structure in place for a smooth
operation going forward and that’s what happened over there,” concluded
Middendorp.
