You can't miss the spring in Ernst Middendorp's step these days as he strolls in the corridors of Naturena - his club's well manicured headquarters in the south of Johannesburg.
This is a far cry from a forlorn-looking Middendorp, who wished for the earth to swallow him up after Kaizer Chiefs were humiliated by low-tier side TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final five months ago.
The Galaxy defeat came a few days after Middendorp's team had also failed to finish inside the top eight in the Absa Premiership, making his position almost untenable just six months after his return to the club.
That Middendorp, 61, managed to hold on to his job at Chiefs is a credit to his boss Kaizer Motaung, who's never irrational in handling the coaches' contracts.
Motaung's patience seems to be paying off, though that must be viewed with a great deal of caution because the German-born mentor is yet to win anything to end Amakhosi's unprecedented trophy drought, stretching back to the 2014-15 season.
Amid his bouncy walks, Middendorp has to answer whether the two Soweto derbies against archrivals Orlando Pirates - in the Telkom Knockout in Durban yesterday and in a league match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday - can be seen as key moments in Chiefs' campaign.
STAY CALM AND COOL
"No, no, no," he disagrees with that notion completely.
"I think in these type of games you don't have to say too much in motivating and preparation.
"You have to even slow down some people in their excitement and in terms of their expectation.
"You have to ensure they stay calm and cool, but you still have to remain confident, and probably with a little touch of arrogance."
Key to Amakhosi's rise from the ashes has been the way Middendorp has managed to get the best in players
The confidence which breeds the arrogance Middendorp is talking about should be in abundance in Chiefs' players, having already beaten the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a league tie last Sunday to open a five-point gap on top of the table after nine matches.
That win will see Amakhosi going into Saturday's game in great shape for ending their 11-match winless streak against Bucs in the league.
Chiefs last beat Pirates in March 2014 when Willard Katsande's 62nd-minute strike gave the Glamour Boys the spoils.
"The more crucial games," says Middendorp, "are the ones that you have in between, or after, a big derby. Those are the crucial moments.
"This is where you have to address the issues of character and attitude in terms of crucial moments for the outcome of the league."
Key to Amakhosi's rise from the ashes has been the way Middendorp has managed to get the best in players such as goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, attacking midfielder Khama Billiat and striker Samir Nurkovic.
Middendorp's relationship with Billiat, in particular, was very dicey in the early stages of the current season, but of late, it has blossomed with both parties having focused on the bigger goal of reviving Amakhosi.
"I think actually he (Billiat) understands," says Middendorp of Billiat's responsibilities in his team.
"He's much more involved in the team dynamics on and off the field.
"I felt it was missing last season ... he was a bit isolated.
"You see it in the contribution they make now in different moments of the games, not only scoring, but also in taking responsibility for certain challenges when it comes to defending. It's not only with Khama, but with other players too."
There were fears at Chiefs when No 1 goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune got injured towards the end of last season, with the Chiefs supporters taking long in warming up to the idea of having Nigeria's finest, Akpeyi, in goal. But for Middendorp, there were never such doubts.
"I think it's a huge compliment for the supporters and Akpeyi too because you have an idol (Khune) since 2007 here.
We sat down in January and said let's go for experience, let's go for somebody who knows the bigger picture
"We're now in 2019 and you're used to this icon being between the goalposts most of the time.
"We sat down in January and said let's go for experience, let's go for somebody who knows the bigger picture and who has been part of the World Cup, of national teams and Afcon.
"We needed someone who will not break down and I think it took a bit of time, but after that, a huge respect was given to Akpeyi. He's the one who was not irritated or confused by the challenge. He just went about doing his job and showed everyone what he can do."
SOLUTION FOR REFEREES
Middendorp has been the least outspoken of the PSL coaches when it comes to criticism of match officials, perhaps rightly so because his team has been one of those who've gained a lot from their faults. The Chiefs coach does, however, offer a solution, suggesting that refereeing must be professionalised in SA.
"We have a professional environment of professional players, professional coaches and professional administration. It's a business," said Middendorp.
"What we have to do as quickly as possible is to introduce professional match officials. We have to give them the professional flair, prepare them week in and week out. These guys are coming out of teaching and other jobs and all of a sudden they have to do it professionally. It's impossible.
"You have to train them in terms of their decision-making and train them in terms of reading and knowing the rules and regulations of the game."
In a season in which Chiefs are marking their 50th anniversary, Middendorp's positive run at Chiefs could not have come at a better time. And he knows it.
"It's nice to see a very healthy 75-year-old chairman (Motaung) and it's very nice to see what he's developed over the past 50 years. Now in January 2020, to have a 50-year history, it's fantastic. We have to sustain this and it can only happen with success on the field."
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