Arminia Bielefeld’s connections to South Africa have traditionally been good. Well-known players in the country have already worn the DSC club jersey. Now there is an official club partnership.
His approach caused restraint in Bielefeld: Ernst Middendorp.
imago/Dünhölter SportPresseFoto
The current coach of the new partner club is none other than the “coach of the century” in his own club: Ernst Middendorp was once given this award by the Bielefeld fans when they were elected. He is currently coaching Maritzburg United FC for the fourth time in his career. In his adopted country, the 63-year-old is not the initiator of the cooperation that his club has now entered into with Arminia, but logically it is an important link.
The Bundesliga club had already intensified the exchange with Maritzburg last year as part of its international measures, and now the cooperation has also been officially sealed. In the future, the focus will initially be on digital training units and trainer training courses as well as the exchange of knowledge in various areas, especially in the promotion of young talent, Arminia reports.
“We saw last year how great the unifying power of football can be across all borders,” said Vice President Maurice Eschweiler at the presentation of the project. He hopes for a lively togetherness. “Despite the great distance and the difficult situation caused by the global corona pandemic, we have already been able to achieve a lot with various campaigns and bring a lot of joy to the children and young people in South Africa, train young talents and coaches in this football-loving country.” In addition, the cooperation is the first step in connecting Arminia internationally with football enthusiasts.
Well-known ex-Armines on the staff
Ernst Middendorp, whose club also employs two well-known ex-Arminia players on the staff in goalkeeping coach Rowen Fernandez and assistant coach Delron Buckley, was already thinking of expanding the partnership to the professional level. “The main focus is on youth,” said the coach, “I can imagine that young players will soon come to Bielefeld to find out what level they are at. And of course: Our scouting found players in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Why Shouldn’t it be possible one day to get to know players in Bielefeld through our partners who aren’t yet good enough for the Bundesliga but who could score goals for us here? It should be an opportunity to expand the connection.”
However, Arminia’s officials are reluctant to accept this approach. The benefit is already great and one does not know what the future will bring, so the tenor. However, there is no sign of an arrival from Maritzburg for the Bielefeld squad in the foreseeable future. “It’s not the focus. If it happens, then it happens. But it’s not part of this strategic cooperation,” emphasized Vice Eschweiler.
Finn Holsing, head of the youth academy, added: “In the future, something like this could happen, but that’s not our goal.
