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Ernst hits back at Pitso 'honeymoon' jibe

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has reacted to Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane's comments that his time coaching in Thailand was a 'honeymoon'.

Mosimane made the comments prior to the 2-0 defeat to Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday and in what he said appeared to suggest Middendorp was lazy.

But the Glamour Boys' tactician insists his time in Thailand was very productive and scoffed at suggestions by his rival that it was a retreat.

"I think actually, let’s go back to 2016 [at Maritzburg], it was really a time where I was driving into a wall, with distraction from all the stuff going on in my head in terms of officiating and other stuff," Middendorp explained.

"But my ‘honeymoon’ time was absolutely a good time, in terms of getting relaxed. I was very busy though – which is what you’re usually not on a honeymoon, but I was very busy with a lot of stuff in another position I did over two years.

"It was very crucial to live. We talk about people not knowing the culture; I know the culture of South Africa very well.

"I studied and finished my study in economics and politics with a degree from the University [of Bielefeld]. Therefore no one should tell me I don’t know the culture or history of South Africa.

"But the culture of Thailand – there is no conflict; there is no ‘don’t allow anybody to lose their face’, and I continued [in my old mental space] there for two to three months and I was nailed more or less to the wall from the bosses over there.

"Then you start reflecting and sitting into it, and I’ve said it before, I think [the change] is not to my disadvantage."

- TeamTalk Media

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