Middendorp in picture as Durban City search for Ben Youssef replacement

Middendorp, the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor, is understood to have continued serving the club as a consultant during Ben Youssef’s brief tenure, submitting reports to the hierarchy from time to time. 

The German tactician has had several spells at the club dating back to their days as Maritzburg United and is admired and respected by chairman Farook Kadodia. 

Ben Youssef’s departure comes after City managed just one win in their opening seven Betway Premiership matches. The decision was reportedly reached during a brief meeting, where Ben Youssef was informed of the evaluation.  

The Tunisian had signed a one-year contract with an option for a further two seasons after joining the club following his spell at AmaKhosi, where he and Cedric Kaze guided Chiefs to a third-place finish.

Musa Nyatama, who joined Ben Youssef’s technical team at the start of the 2026/27 campaign, remains at the club. 

However, with Nyatama not holding a CAF A Licence, City require a suitably qualified coach to take charge from the bench during their CAF Confederation Cup matches, where they have reached the group stage play-offs. 

READ: Real Madrid door opens again for patient Raul Asencio

City are not scheduled to return to action until 13 October, when they face high-flying AmaZulu in a KwaZulu-Natal derby. 

Nevertheless, the club’s hierarchy opted to act immediately and begin its search for a replacement during the FIFA international break.

Last season, City started with Gavin Hunt before appointing Sinethemba Badela, with Pitso Dladla taking over for the closing stages and guiding the club to Nedbank Cup glory and a top-eight finish only to be let go. 

After a subdued start this campaign, City appear to be embarking on another coaching reset with Middendorp in the picture and Nyatama the understudy.