Only time will tell whether Ernst’s volcano is extinct
Ernst Middendorp faced the media this week and flashed the kind of smile that would have landed him a deal at a toothpaste commercial casting call.
It was the German’s first media engagement since his shock appointment as new Kaizer Chiefs coach a few days previously, but given that the members of the audience were the same people he’s had running battles with for several years, he could have been smiling at the wind.
The man oozed charm at Chiefs’ Naturena headquarters, in the south of Johannesburg, on Monday and on any other day could have had the gathered gallery eating out of his hands.
The journalists fired some uncomfortable questions to the German and he painstakingly answered all of them, not once giving hint to the fiery temper he has displayed since he first came to these shores in 2005.
A little birdie told me his new employers instructed him to behave in his new surroundings and to understand that the club is nothing like the previous sides he has coached in SA — Maritzburg United‚ Lamontville Golden Arrows‚ Free State Stars, Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Chiefs might be in the midst of a trophy drought and have not won anything in more than three seasons, but they are still the most popular side in Southern Africa.
They command a huge following and their social media presence is second to none in this part of the world.
The outbursts he became known for during his days at Maritzburg went largely under the radar, but Chiefs is a different kettle of fish.
To his credit, he professed to being a changed man these days and admitted that perhaps he was very naive about SA football when he first arrived in June 2005.
He conceded that he might have been hasty in his dealings with the media and the fans in the past and plans to do things a little differently this time.
Unfortunately, few inside that room actually believed him and many are certain it is only a matter of time before that notorious temper surfaces.
Chiefs boss Bobby Motaung admitted their coaching options were very limited, given that they needed an emergency appointment to step in and hit the ground running after the sacking of overawed Italian Giovanni Solinas last week.
He said Middendorp ticked most of their boxes and does not need to wait for a work permit because he has an SA identity document.
He understands the local football culture after coaching in these parts since 2005.
And, more importantly, he is well aware he will be expected to win a trophy in the remaining five months of the season.
The little birdie further added that discipline had become a problem under the bumbling Solinas and there were times when the Italian seemed to be overwhelmed, often appearing to be trapped like a deer in the headlights of a speeding car.
Discipline is practically Middendorp’s middle name and if egos were starting to stray in the south of Johannesburg, many of them are about to find out their new coach runs a very tight ship.
But the Chiefs supporters are still far from convinced and memories of the German’s first stint at the club are still fresh in their minds.
Some of them took to social media to voice their discontent, with many threatening to turn their backs on the club and boycott matches.
They haven’t forgotten the numerous times when things got so tense that they tried to get their hands on the coach after disappointing results.
They also have not forgotten the many times he needed police and security personnel to escort him out of stadiums.
But I reckon they should give the man a chance because surely he cannot do worse than Solinas.
Everybody deserves a second chance and we will know soon enough if his appointment was an inspired decision or one that Chiefs will regret.