After KickOff broke the story about Ernst Middendorp's emergence as a frontrunner for AmaZulu FC's vacant head coach position, this website has the latest on Usuthu's desperate search.
Pablo Franco Martin became the official first coaching casualty of the season after he parted ways with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit following three losses in a row.
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After a 1-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants one weekend ago, the Usuthu hierarchy decided to make coaching changes, especially with a month to go before the Betway Premiership resumes.
Thus publication broke the story last Thursday that the club had opened talks with Middendorp with the view of roping him in as the new man in charge.
Indications are that the German tactician is the current preferred candidate to take over. However, after holding talks with the Cape Town Spurs mentor, he is said to have turned them down.
Information reaching this publication from a reliable source close to Usuthu is that management have since opened negotiations with Magesi head coach Clinton Larsen, whose appointment could only be boosted if AmaZulu are unable to convince Middendorp to fill the vacancy left by Martin.
It is understood that Usuthu President Sandile Zungu is in favour of Larsen taking over if they don't get the German. However, the board is believed to not be sold on the idea, according to high-ranking sources close to the KZN giants.
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This website understands that the door is still open for Middendorp, who is the preferred candidate and enjoys full support of Zungu and the board, if he changes his mind, with the club yet to make a decisive decision on their next appointment, although they have a main criterion that the coach they are looking for has to have PSL experience and a proven track record.
AmaZulu initially went for their former coach Benni McCarthy, who is unattached after leaving Manchester United, before approaching Middendorp, but the Bafana Bafana all-time leading goal-scorer also turned them down.