Middendorp says Broos crossed the line with Mosimane criticism

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp has strongly criticised Hugo Broos for publicly questioning the suitability of Pitso Mosimane as the potential next Bafana Bafana manager.

Middendorp’s comments came in a detailed post on LinkedIn, responding to an interview Broos gave to Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad. Broos, 74, said appointing Mosimane could undo the progress made during his five-year spell in charge of South Africa.

“South Africa still don’t have a coach,” Broos told Het Nieuwsblad. “The candidate is Pitso Mosimane, a successful South African coach. But they know that if he comes in, they’ll go five years back in time.”

Broos also warned about the possibility of outside influence over team selection, claiming that he had removed interference from club owners and agents during his tenure.

“Club owners and agents calling coaches to influence the squad selection. I threw all of them out. If one called, I would say bluntly: ‘I don’t talk with agents’.”

Middendorp, who previously managed both Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United, published his response under the title “Leadership Means Knowing When to Step Aside”. He challenged Broos’ reasoning and questioned whether a departing national team coach should publicly criticise someone who could replace him.

“Broos argument appears to be that one of his achievements was establishing independence in selection and refusing approaches from agents, and club owners. He says explicitly that when agents contacted him, his response was essentially that he did not deal with them. But then he makes a significant jump: from ‘this interference exists’ to ‘if Pitso comes, South Africa goes five years backwards.’ That is no longer a warning about the system. It becomes a judgement about Pitso Mosimane. And that is where the statement becomes problematic.”

Middendorp said Broos’ remarks could have been motivated by a genuine desire to protect the principles he believes he established with Bafana Bafana. He also suggested that protecting a successful legacy may have played a part.

However, he argued that neither explanation justified making such a public assessment of Mosimane.

“We cannot know his intention unless he explains it himself. But several possibilities are reasonable – He may genuinely be trying to protect what he believes he established during years: independence, a new generation, stability and freedom from external interference. His recent farewell comments show that he is extremely proud of the transformation and results achieved. There may also be an element of legacy protection. When a successful coach leaves, it is very easy to think ‘I know why this worked, and if they change the principles I established, they will destroy it.’ That is understandable psychologically, but it doesn’t necessarily make the public judgement appropriate.”

Middendorp’s strongest objection was that Broos had not offered evidence to support the suggestion that Mosimane would allow agents or club owners to influence his selections.

“Most importantly, Broos hasn’t provided evidence that Mosimane would actually allow agents, or club owners to influence his selections. The reporting presents this as Broos’ concern or allegation, not as an established fact about Mosimane.”

He said Broos could have issued a warning about the pressures facing any Bafana Bafana coach without directly targeting Mosimane.

“Should a departing coach criticise his possible successor? I say NO. Broos would have been completely entitled to say: ‘The next Bafana coach must remain independent. There will be pressure from clubs, agents and other interests. Protecting the coach’s sporting authority is essential.’ That would be a valuable message based on years of experience. But saying effectively ‘appoint Pitso and you lose five years’ crosses a different line. It puts pressure on the successor before his first selection, first training session or first match. It also risks creating exactly the unnecessary public narrative that a new national coach does not need.”

Middendorp also described Broos’ comments as condescending, given Mosimane’s experience of dealing with the complexities surrounding African football.

“And Mosimane is hardly an inexperienced coach who needs Broos to explain the political realities of African football.”