Ernst Middendorp is on the verge of his third return to Durban City less than a year and a half later. He is actively mentioned as a potential candidate to replace coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who was dismissed on Saturday evening.
Previously, Middendorp worked twice at City last season as technical director before leaving the team. Now, the German coach could be brought in as head coach for his third stint to replace Ben Youssef.
Ben Youssef took charge of the club in the pre-season after Pitso Dladla left, moving to Golden Arrows. Dladla departed the team after an impressive eighth-place finish in the league table and winning an unprecedented Nedbank Cup trophy.
Despite having experience with Kaizer Chiefs as an assistant and co-coach, significant success was expected from him. However, his start was sluggish: the team was eliminated from MTN8, winning only one match, drawing four, and losing two in the Betway Premiership.
On the continental level, the Tunisian started reasonably well, securing a 3-1 victory against Rukinzo from Burundi in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, leaving them just one match away from group stage qualification for the first time. Next, they are set to face AS Port Louis from Mauritius in the second preliminary round.
During the FIFA international break, the club conducted analysis and self-assessment amid a tense start to the season. It was subsequently revealed that the club chairman, Farouk Kadodia, and the board of directors decided to terminate relations with Ben Youssef.
Former deputy Nasreddin Nabi became the fifth coach to leave the PSL top division since the start of the season, joining Cedric Kase (Sekhukhune United), Lehlokhono lo Sime (Siwelele FC), Futi Mohafe (Marumo Gallants), and Ronnie Gabriel (Richards Bay FC).
The club now has to search for a new coach for City—a task that has become all too familiar for the club since its return to the elite league under a new brand, previously known as Maritzburg United.
At the beginning of their return to the top division, they worked under Sinethemba Badela, who was soon replaced by Gavin Hunt. The multiple league champion also did not last long and was replaced by Dladla, who temporarily led the team to eighth place in the table and qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.
It is reported that the club is interested in keeping Musa Nyatama as interim coach while he serves as Ben Youssef's assistant. However, this presents a problem as he lacks the necessary coaching license to sit on the bench against Port Louis. Consequently, resuming relations with Middendorp appears to be a viable temporary solution.