SuperSport United FC unveil Gavin Hunt as head coach on a two-year deal. Image: @SuperSportUTD / Twitter
CONFIRMED: Gavin Hunt named new SuperSport coach
Coach Gavin Hunt’s return to SuperSport United on a two-year deal has been officially confirmed on Thursday.
SuperSport United FC unveil Gavin Hunt as head coach on a two-year deal. Image: @SuperSportUTD / Twitter
In May last year, Kaizer Chiefs released Hunt from his contract after a string of poor results with the club, although he had led Amakhosi to the semi-final of the CAF Champions League.
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After a brief move to Chippa United, Hunt has been without a job for quite some time, but recently said he is keeping his options open, while suggesting he would love to take on a new coaching challenge if the culture was the right fit.
Hunt – who is a four-time league winner as a coach – has also recently hinted on social media that he is missing the feeling of being closely involved in the game, which drew an interesting response from close friend and colleague Pitso Mosimane.
“I have struggled to understand that you are yet to get attached to a team after winning so many league and cup trophies, plus Caf Champions League experience,” Mosimane replied to Hunt’s tweet about missing football.
Hunt, however, is now no longer without a job.
SuperSport released the following statement:
SuperSport United FC is pleased to confirm the return of coach Gavin Hunt as head coach on a two-year deal.
In his previous spell with the club, Hunt joined Matsatsantsa in 2007 and led the team to a historic three consecutive league championship titles between 2008 and 2010, with a Nedbank Cup title under his belt in 2012.
He later left the club in 2013 for Bidvest Wits and won the league title and MTN 8 trophy in the 2016/17 season as well as the Telkom Knock-Out trophy in the 2017/18 season.
Hunt, who turns 58 next week, shared his thoughts on coming back home: “I am really excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead, especially to work with the younger players at the club and build the team to ensure the club is successful and competitive In the PSL.“
SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews added: “Gavin has a great history with our club and his coaching record speaks for itself with four PSL League titles and domestic cups to his name.”
We have some fantastic young talent in the club that will benefit from Gavin’s vast experience and coaching ability and we look forward to him blending our youth with the experienced players we already have and the couple of new players who will be joining us in the weeks ahead.
SuperSport United had always been expected to make their final decision on a new head coach in the coming days after a board meeting.
After firing coach Kaitano Tembo in April, Andre Arendse stepped in as caretaker coach until the end of the season. Club CEO Stan Matthews also confirmed on Thursday that the club’s technical team, including Arendse, will remain in place for continuity.
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Hunt recently spent some time at Manchester City in what was an “upskilling” trip to England
A few weeks ago Hunt reiterated that he didn’t see value in necessarily pushing his CV out there.
However, taking to social media a few days ago, Hunt had suggested he is missing the game, and he has now been rewarded with a return to SuperSport.
