Middendorp joins Celtic

Bloemfontein Celtic on Monday officially unveiled and welcomed new head coach Ernst Middendorp to the club at a press conference held at Siwelele Park, the club’s training ground in Bayswater.

Middendorp started his three year tenure today and had an almost two hour training session with the first team squad.

He also watched the team win the Macufe Cup yesterday defeating his former team Kaizer Chiefs 1-0.

Middendorp joined the club last week after the sudden resignation of Clinton Larsen, after taking up the option of a buyout clause in his contract with Maritzburg United.

Celtic chairman and owner Jimmy Augousti introduced Middendorp to the media and explained the decision to hire the experienced and successful coach.

“I would like to firstly thank Clinton Larsen for the outstanding job he did at Celtic, stabilising the team for three seasons,” he said.

“His sudden resignation took the whole club by surprise but senior management had to act quickly and by Tuesday last week we decided we wanted the services of Middendorp,” he added.

“So after a few days negotiation we managed to secure his services on a three year contract.

“It is obvious that given his sudden arrival and the fact he has not had the luxury of pre-season training and considering the fact we have only one once in six league outings, his mandate is not quite the same as for Larsen.

“We would like Middendorp to stabilise the team and finish well within the top eight,” he said.

Middendorp named three reasons why he decided to take on the Celtic job:

“There were three factors that helped make my mind up; firstly the incredible supporters which all PSL coaches know about and admire,” he said.

“Secondly, the infrastructure here at the club is top-class and with the great facilities it makes my job easier to instil my structures.

“And thirdly the quality of the squad is of a high standard and I believe that we have all facets covered, namely defence, midfield and attack, “he added.

Middendorp’s first assignment will be a tricky home PSL match against Moroka Swallows on Tuesday 22 October.