A former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder has come to the defence of coach Ernst Middendorp as opinions on his future at the club remain divided.
Middendorp may have led the team to successive victories in their opening two fixtures of the 2019/20 season but support for the German continues to sway.
READ: Middendorp told to change his ways
After last season's mishap of finishing outside of the top eight and losing the Nedbank Cup final to first division side TS Galaxy, many had called for a new coach to lead the club this season.
However, Chiefs stuck to their guns in retaining the former Maritzburg United mentor, much to the discontent of a faction of the club's supporters.
Stanton Fredericks, who was a star midfielder for The Glamour Boys between 2001 and 2004, feels Middendorp can now be judged fairly after having the opportunity of a pre-season.
"He came in the middle of last season and kind of stabilised the ship but unfortunately, and I think unluckily, fell out of the top eight," Fredericks told snl24.com/kickoff.
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"The last four or five games of last season never went his way and that's how they found themselves out of the top eight, but I felt before those games Chiefs looked steady – especially tactically.
"I think he's been given a pre-season now and that's something he can work from. They have to be patient and give him some time, and let's judge him after a few months.
"You can't judge a coach within three or four months without a pre-season, so now that he's had one, give him some time and then we can judge."
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