Why South African clubs always hire Ernst Middendorp and Vladislav Heric

Many local football followers have been asking themselves why PSL club chairmen keep hiring Middendorp and Heric over South African options.

Both coaches have returned to the South African football scene this season. Middendorp recently replaced Eric Tinkler at Maritzburg United following his brief spell with Ethiopian giants Saint George while Heric has taken charge of Cape Town Spurs.

Middendorp, who was introduced to South African football by Chiefs in 2007, has also been on the payroll of other PSL teams including Golden Arrows, Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United and Free State Stars.

"Look, on Middendorp, he is a good coach," Ea Lla Koto boss Rantsi Mokoena tells snl24.com/kickoff.

"I mean where has he failed? He's a good coach. No well he finished number two guys, let's be honest you know, he lost the league by one point. If that's failure then okay I guess so... but I mean one point? He did well at Chiefs.

"So I guess people appreciate his qualities on what he brings to the game and what he does. And he is very good for development. He enjoys working with young kids and everywhere he's gone he always introduced young, quality players you know.

"So he's a guy I would say he knows his qualities. Let's be honest, if you finish number two with Chiefs, you'll get employment somewhere. You will not be out of it for long. So aa, Middendorp is quality, that's all I can say. He's a good coach."

1997/98 - Ted Dumitru (Sundowns) - The Romanian replaced Reinhard Fabisch and guided them to their first PSL title. Sundowns suffered just four defeats, finishing on 68 points.

1998/99 - Ted Dumitru (Sundowns) - Dumitru won The Brazilians' second successive PSL title in a season that was decided on GD of +5. Sundowns and Chiefs finished on 75 points.

1999/00 - Paul Dolezar (Sundowns) - Born in Yugoslavia, raised in France, Serbian citizenship, Dolezar's arrival helped Downs complete a hat-trick of league titles with 75 points.

2002/03 - Roy Barreto (Pirates, bottom left) - Zim-born Barreto won the league but was then escorted out of Chatsworth Stadium under heavy security – one of the reasons he quit.

2003/04 - Ted Dumitru (Chiefs) - The Romanian was back at it again as he led Amakhosi to their first ever PSL-era title. They finished on 63 points.

2004/05 - Ted Dumitru (Chiefs) - This time 62 points were enough for the Glamour Boys to finish as champions. He claims he left to pursue a research programme in local soccer.

2005/06 - Miguel Gamondi (Sundowns) - The Argentinean won the league as a joint-coach alongside Neil Tovey. He arrived in South Africa in 2005 as an assistant to Angel Cappa.

2010/11 - Ruud Krol (Pirates) - This was the Buccaneers' third PSL title. The Dutch legend led Pirates to a historic treble but ended up leaving and was replaced by Julio Leal.

2011/12 - Augusto Palacios - (Pirates) - The Peruvian mentor took charge of the Soweto giants between March and September 2012, following Julio Leal's sacking.

2012/13 - Stuart Baxter (Chiefs) - This was the year Amakhosi did the double as they won both the league and Nedbank Cup. Baxter clinched their first league title in eight years.

2014/15 - Stuart Baxter (Chiefs) - Baxter, now dominant in the PSL, led Amakhosi to both the league and MTN8 trophies. He is the last foreign coach to have won the title.

Mokoena contiues: "Heric I didn't work with him for too long together, I don't have too much to say about him. But I see he understands the local scene, and the fact that he knows the local market and the local football maybe that's why he has a strong, lasting relationship with clubs.

"Maybe it's a relationship thing but also he's a decent chap he's a very nice chap. But to be honest I didn't work that long with him, whereas with Ernst I still talk to him from time to time."

Among other clubs, Heric has coached Chippa United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Polokwane City and Ea Lla Koto.

"I don't know to be honest," replies Heric when asked why he is so employable.

"Probably some references, I don't know, really don't know. Can't answer that. I came to South Africa to help and work for the prosperity of football. I didn't come you know like as a smash-and-grab coach from overseas. And some of the people they already take me like a local coach now, which I believe I am because I am not going anywhere from here.

"To go back to that question of yours, maybe the supporters are also playing a role. Because in Limpopo I'm very well known throughout City Pillars and Black Leopards. I've been four times at Black Leopards and whenever I went there, I did my job. I jumped four times to help this club."

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