Ernst Middendorp
German coach Ernst Middendorp has resigned from his position as head coach of Tanzanian Premier League side Singida Fountain Gate just two weeks after being appointed.
The 64-year-old German coach only joined the club in September 2023, but he has decided to step down after just two weeks in charge.
Middendorp is said to have left the team hotel on Monday after management questioned some of his decisions.
His decision to leave came after the narrow 1-0 win over Egypt’s Future Stars at the Azam Complex Stadium on Sunday. The two clubs clashed in a second preliminary round clash of the CAF Confederation Cup.
A club source revealed that the disagreement between Middendorp and management was over his questionable team selection.
WHY ERNST MIDDENDORP RESIGNED
“He left last night [Monday], he played a weak team from Egypt [Future Stars]. He played three players out of position.
Singida Fountain Gate
“We have a player who has not played for two seasons [Gadiel Michael]. He’s originally a left-back. Middendorp played him as a defensive midfielder and benched Morice Chukwu, who is experienced in that position.
“Middendorp just messed up everything. He got a call from management at half-time regarding his selection. He made changes, and the team was able to score one goal.
“We could have won by a bigger margin if he had done his selection right. They had a meeting with management after the game.
“He angrily replied saying in his entire career that spans over 30 years he had never seen such interference.
“We were shocked because he is new and doesn’t know these players as yet.”
Middendorp’s resignation is a blow to Singida, who are playing in the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing fourth last season. It is unclear whether his South African assistant, Thabo Senong, will remain at the club after his departure.
Middendorp has a long and distinguished coaching career, having managed teams in Germany, South Africa and Ethiopia. He is best known for his two spells in charge of Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier League. Middendorp was sacked by Chiefs in 2021 after failing to win the league title.