The Hunt is over as Wits land their man
WITS named Gavin Hunt as their new head coach yesterday, just minutes after SuperSport United announced he had parted ways with the Pretoria outfit.
“We are delighted to have been able to secure the services of Gavin Hunt as our head coach,” said Wits chief executive Jose Ferreira. “He has an impressive CV, not only with Supersport United, but with every other club he has coached prior to that.
“We have signed a long-term contract with him and we believe that, in line with our long-term vision for the club, he is the right coach to lead the process that we have embarked on to transform our team into a consistently competitive force in South African football.”
Ferreira thanked Clive Barker for the “remarkable” work he had done with the Students over the last five months of the season.
Barker lifted Wits from the bottom half of the table to fourth position in the Premiership standings by the end of the campaign.
“Clive will always be remembered as an important part of our initial efforts to turn things around at our club,” Ferreira said.
Earlier, SuperSport revealed that Hunt had been released two years early from his contract as Matsatsantsa head coach.
“Obviously it’s a big blow for us. He’s a fantastic coach who served us tremendously well,” said SuperSport United director of football Stan Matthews.
Hunt (48) played full-back for now defunct Cape Town club Hellenic, before launching his coaching career by taking Seven Stars into the Premier League.
Spells at other top-flight sides – Hellenic, Black Leopards and Moroka Swallows – followed before he succeeded Pitso Mosimane and led SuperSport to three consecutive Premiership titles between 2008 and 2010.
“It’s a very difficult time for me. I’m doing this with a very heavy heart,” said Hunt, who spent six years with the Pretoria outfit. “In this business, as we all know, maybe a change would be good for me. I will forever be indebted to this club.”
Menahile, Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson is the overwhelming favourite to take over at SuperSport after Hunt’s departure.