Durban City‘s newly appointed head coach, Gavin Hunt, has expressed his full support for the arrival of Ernst Middendorp at the club ahead of the highly anticipated 2025/26 PSL season.
Middendorp, who recently departed relegated Cape Town Spurs, will take on a crucial role focused on youth development and scouting for the newly promoted Durban outfit.
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Hunt clarified that Middendorp’s duties will not involve direct engagement with the senior team’s matchday operations. “They told me Ernst would handle youth structures and help identify players,” Hunt told iDiski Times.
He elaborated on Middendorp’s specific interests: “And he’s said, he doesn’t want to get involved with the Saturday results. He would like to do Monday to Friday: set up the youth development, the Diski side, set up the coaching structures, we need a proper training ground, and he will do that for us.”
Middendorp, who previously had a coaching stint with the club when it was known as Maritzburg City, was recently spotted on a scouting mission in Malawi.
On Sunday, he observed Nyasa Big Bullets’ 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Silver Strikers in the Airtel Top 8 final, showcasing his active commitment to identifying new talent.
Hunt emphasized the value Middendorp brings in player recruitment. “And he’ll help look for players. He’s got a good network of people he knows, and that’s important,” he added.
Despite their strong personalities and extensive experience in South African football, Hunt anticipates a productive working relationship with Middendorp.
“We’re both older and experienced, and we will get along just fine,” he remarked, suggesting a collaborative environment focused on building a strong foundation for Durban City’s future.