Gavin Hunt’s job safe for now – Wits CEO
Bidvest Wits CEO Jose Ferreira says Gavin Hunt's future at the club is safe and secure for now despite the Students’ poor start to the 2017/18 season.
Coach Gavin Hunt of Wits with CEO Jose Ferreira and George Mokgotsi of Wits during the Bidvest Wits press conference. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Speculation has been rife that Wits are considering to axe Hunt after the club lost four of their opening seven Absa Premiership matches. However, Ferreira says the club has no intention of ditching Hunt.
“We don’t do things like that at the club. We don’t react to temporary bad form. Gavin has just won us the league for the first time in the club’s history. He also won the MTN8,” Ferreira told IOL.
“We are not even talking about firing the coach. Gavin still has many years with us. We will only consider offers for Gavin if he is wanted by Bafana Bafana. At the moment they still have a coach who is good for the country in Stuart Baxter.”
Ferreira believes injuries and Phakamani Mahlambi’s departure played a role in Wits’ poor start to the season.
“We lost the exceptional Phakamani Mahlambi and then we lost Buhle Mkhwanazi, who formed a formidable partnership with Thulani Hlatshwayo at the heart of defence. Darren Keet is also injured.
“So, injuries have forced the coach to make changes while other players are stilling gelling and trying to find their feet. We are not panicking. We will bounce back. I think it is still possible to win the league but it is going to be difficult for us. What is nice is that other teams are also dropping points. We will fight and see where that takes us. It is still early,” explained Ferreira.
Wits’ next match is against high flying Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
