Middendorp in line for Hearts return

Former Hearts of Oak Ernst Middendorp is on the verge of a return to Ghana football after he was named in a three-man shortlist for the club’s vacant coaching job.

The German is the favourite in the selection of a new coach for Accra Hearts of Oak to replace Herbert Addo, who was sacked towards the end of last season.

Caretaker coach and former goalkeeper of the club Eddie Ansah took the reins after Addo left with assistance from Turkish Technical Director, Vanli Cann, who helped the club avoid relegation.

But Hearts of Oak say they will name a new coach next Monday before the club begin pre-season after shortlisting three applicants out of the 15 including caretaker coach Eddie Ansah who applied for the position.

The club’s official newspaper Hearts News says Ernst Middendorp, Aristica Ciaoba, former Aduana Stars coach, and Zdravko Logarusic, who formerly handled Kumasi-based King Faisal, are the three coaches in the frame.

Middendorp, who coached the club back in 2004, is in pole position to land the job.

He has worked extensively on the African continent with his managerial reign stretching from Hearts’ arch rivals Asante Kotoko to Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.

He has a UEFA PRO License and has also done a very good job in clubs like VFL Bochum and Arminia Bielefeld where he was named their coach of the century at the turn of the millennium.

Coach Aristica Ciaoba also began his coaching career as an assistant for Raja Casablanca. He holds a UEFA A license in coaching. His brief spell with Aduana Stars also gives him a strong case to run for the position at Accra Hearts of Oak.

The last shortlisted coach is Zdravko Logarusic who has managed Kenyan team, Gor Mahia where he won the league title, Ashanti Gold FC and King Faisal.