CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 24: Sean Connor during the Cape Town Spurs training session at Ikamva on October 24, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The reason for the reported ‘sacking’ of Cape Town Spurs technical director Sean Connor is now known, if word coming from well-placed sources is anything to go by.
At one stage, Connor held the reigns as head coach at the club on an interim basis following the parting of ways with the man who guided the team back to the elite division, Shaun Bartlett.
The Northern Irish native returned to his technical director role following the appointment of German-born coach Middendorp.
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According to a source, Connor and Middendorp were not seeing eye-to-eye.
Apparently, Connor felt like the club no longer valued him or took his position seriously.
Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou refused to confirm or deny the story was true when contacted for comment by this publication.
“No comment. That was the agreement of both parties,” Efstathiou said.
“I can only tell you one thing about the situation, it’s a clash of power,” a source tells KickOff.
“This is all about two people who don’t wanna work together, and they don’t see eye-to-eye.
“Because this one has a UEFA Pro License and the other one also has a UEFA Pro License, so this one comes with one idea, and the other one comes with his idea. You know what they say about two bulls living in one kraal.”
The source believes Connor could have helped the Urban Warriors in their efforts to escape relegation had his ideas been ‘taken seriously’.
“Connor is highly qualified, so… but ja, there was no harmony between him and Middendorp.
“So, it’s difficult, you know, when you try to bring your point across and you try to work in a certain way, and then you don’t see eye-to-eye with the people inside.
“The best thing is for one of you to ask to be released. Otherwise you will not enjoy your work.”
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Spurs are in position 16 on the DStv Premiership log table. They have collected a mere 12 points from 21 matches, with their last-gasp home defeat to Moroka Swallows massively denting their survival hopes, although Richards Bay FC’s loss to Golden Arrows is good news for the Cape side as only two points separate the two.
No doubt, the immediate plan will be to finish to jump from 16th to 15th, but whether Connor’s departure proves to be a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
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