Veteran defender Clayton Daniels has criticized his former coach at Cape Town Spurs, Ernst Middendorp, for turning the final days of his professional football career into a ball of frustration.
The 37-year-old is currently with Second Division side Crystal Palace Football Club in Cape Town, where he serves as both player and assistant to Bradley August.
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"I enjoyed playing football. It's my heartbeat, so it's difficult to let it go," admits Daniels, sitting down for this tell-all interview with KickOff.com.
"In football, you learn to overcome many obstacles, whether in life or on the field. The sport develops a certain character that helps you withstand challenges."
Daniels reflected on his nearly 20-year career, which included playing for some of the biggest clubs in South Africa and representing the national team. For one, he expressed dissatisfaction with how it ended at Cape Town Spurs, a club very close to his heart.
"The club built me and allowed me to play in the PSL, but I'm not happy with the way it ended. I dedicated a lot to them, taking them back to the top division after long years of struggle. It was disappointing to finish with them like that."
He explained the abrupt nature of his departure.
"I was simply told by coach Middendorp: 'Listen here, Clayton Daniels, you are no longer going to be part of the playing squad, you won't be playing anymore.' It was disheartening because that decision should have come from me. No coach, not even my parents, should dictate my career decisions, as I'm the one who has to live with them."
Daniels believes that Middendorp knows where he went wrong, saying, "I'm not afraid of challenges. I thought the club would have my back considering what I've done for them. I performed well, and when I returned, I played the most matches and minutes in the NFD that season, and we got promoted."
When the coach informed him he would no longer play, the centre-back approached the club's CEO Alexis Efstathiou, expressing his desire to play at least until the end of the season.
"I thought the club would support me, but that didn't happen. They offered me a position as an assistant coach to Middendorp, but I declined because I understood how the coach operates - it's his way or the highway."
Daniels pointed out that experienced players were also let go by the club, something he believes indicates underlying issues.
"I have great respect for the coach, but we need to be realistic. Halfway through the season, the bosses asked for my input because I was the captain. I recommended coach Middendorp, having experienced his successful tenure before. I brought him in, only for him to turn his back on me six months later.
"When Middendorp called me while at SuperSport United, asking for my help to fight relegation at Maritzburg United, I immediately agreed. We survived two seasons together, even after selling key players."
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He remembered a specific incident when fans attacked the German gaffer at Cape Town Stadium:
"I was the one who stepped in to help him during that confrontation."
Any hard feelings?
"With all due respect to the coach, I told him he has his UEFA Pro Licence, but he needs to manage things better. I've learned the hard way, especially from a club I was willing to give everything for."
Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou could not be reached on his phone for a comment.