Posted in News, Team News on Dec 11, 2018.
“It’s a good feeling to be back,” Shaun Bartlett comments about his return to Kaizer Chiefs. He played for Amakhosi as a striker from 2006 to 2008 and has now returned to become the assistant coach to Ernst Middendorp. “I was previously part of the club’s structures as a player and this time I am a member of the technical team. That’s a huge honour.”
On 9 December 2006, Shaun Bartlett scored the equaliser in the 94th minute against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. It was the last match played at the old FNB Stadium, before it was partly demolished and rebuilt for the 2010 World Cup.
On 10 December 2018, one day and 12 years after that historic goal, Bartlett rejoined Chiefs. “That can’t be just a coincidence,” the former striker reacts with a smile on his face, before adding on a more serious note. “I am coming to help coach Ernst – it’s not only about the technical team. I want to add to the whole backroom staff. We will work as a collective.”
He got his coaching badges early on after which Bartlett led Golden Arrows back to the Absa Premiership in 2015. He coached the University of Pretoria for the last two seasons and recently assisted Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for three Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Bartlett joined Amakhosi in 2006 from English side Charlton Athletic. “Coming back from Europe to South Africa,” he says, “I expected that the training methods would be different. However, that was not the case, Middendorp’s sessions were very similar to those I had experienced in England and also in Switzerland, when I played for FC Zürich.
“Middendorp is a very structured and organised coach. It would be great if we could help bring back the glory days to Kaizer Chiefs.”
Bartlett was part of the Amakhosi side that won the 2006 SAA Supa 8. The opponent? SuperSport United. “Talk about coincidences,” he adds, again having a big smile on his face, as Chiefs’ opponent on Wednesday is SuperSport United. The two sides meet for a league encounter at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium.
The former striker wants to help transfer knowledge to the players and, as Bartlett describes it, “I not only want them to help become better players, but also better men – as that goes hand in hand. It’s important to live a disciplined life if you want to be successful at the highest level in football.”
Bartlett always felt proud when wearing the Gold and Black jersey. “That’s why I always made sure that nobody would doubt my work ethic. Our supporters appreciate it when they see a player fighting for something. That’s a mentality we want to install into the present squad as well.”
The former striker will sit on the bench for the game between Chiefs and SuperSport on Wednesday, sitting next to head coach Ernst Middendorp. It will be a new beginning. “I am happy to be part of the Kaizer Chiefs Brand again, which is massive,” concludes Amakhosi’s new assistant coach.
The Absa Premiership clash will kick-off at 19:30.
Tickets are sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers at R50.
On 9 December 2006, Shaun Bartlett scored the equaliser in the 94th minute against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium. It was the last match played at the old FNB Stadium, before it was partly demolished and rebuilt for the 2010 World Cup.
On 10 December 2018, one day and 12 years after that historic goal, Bartlett rejoined Chiefs. “That can’t be just a coincidence,” the former striker reacts with a smile on his face, before adding on a more serious note. “I am coming to help coach Ernst – it’s not only about the technical team. I want to add to the whole backroom staff. We will work as a collective.”
He got his coaching badges early on after which Bartlett led Golden Arrows back to the Absa Premiership in 2015. He coached the University of Pretoria for the last two seasons and recently assisted Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for three Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Bartlett joined Amakhosi in 2006 from English side Charlton Athletic. “Coming back from Europe to South Africa,” he says, “I expected that the training methods would be different. However, that was not the case, Middendorp’s sessions were very similar to those I had experienced in England and also in Switzerland, when I played for FC Zürich.
“Middendorp is a very structured and organised coach. It would be great if we could help bring back the glory days to Kaizer Chiefs.”
Bartlett was part of the Amakhosi side that won the 2006 SAA Supa 8. The opponent? SuperSport United. “Talk about coincidences,” he adds, again having a big smile on his face, as Chiefs’ opponent on Wednesday is SuperSport United. The two sides meet for a league encounter at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium.
The former striker wants to help transfer knowledge to the players and, as Bartlett describes it, “I not only want them to help become better players, but also better men – as that goes hand in hand. It’s important to live a disciplined life if you want to be successful at the highest level in football.”
Bartlett always felt proud when wearing the Gold and Black jersey. “That’s why I always made sure that nobody would doubt my work ethic. Our supporters appreciate it when they see a player fighting for something. That’s a mentality we want to install into the present squad as well.”
The former striker will sit on the bench for the game between Chiefs and SuperSport on Wednesday, sitting next to head coach Ernst Middendorp. It will be a new beginning. “I am happy to be part of the Kaizer Chiefs Brand again, which is massive,” concludes Amakhosi’s new assistant coach.
The Absa Premiership clash will kick-off at 19:30.
Tickets are sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers at R50.
