Kaizer Chiefs coach: Gavin Hunt and Stuart Baxter tapped up for job

Gavin Hunt is reportedly the frontrunner in the race to become Kaizer Chiefs next coach with the former Bidvest Wits tactician is yet to confirm contact from the club.

Who will be Kaizer Chiefs next coach?

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, who bought Bidvest Wits PSL franchise, chose not to take on Hunt’s services.

Ernst Middendorp was shown the door on Wednesday after narrowly failing to bring the PSL title to Naturena.

Kaizer Chiefs need to move quickly with the new season set to start in October.

Chairman Kaizer Motaung was displeased with the direction the team were going in under Middendorp, which should give the incoming coach some idea of the expectations of Chiefs’ hierarchy.

Hunt led Bidvest Wits to their first-ever PSL title during the 2016/17 season, and the team also won the Telkom Knockout and MTN8 trophies during his seven-year stint with the Cleverboys.

“No one [from Chiefs] has spoken to me. Right now I don’t want to comment on anything,” Hunt told The Citizen on Wednesday. 

Hunt appears to be the most sensible choice available to Kaizer Chiefs, but the club have reportedly been willing to explore less practical avenues.

According to Kickoff.com, Kaizer Chiefs have made initial contact with former coach Stuart Baxter.

Baxter directed Chiefs to their last piece of silverware when they won the league title in 2015, but the former Bafana Bafana boss is currently under contract to Indian Super League side Odisha FC.

Amakhosi’s other options

Former Cape Town City trainer Benni McCarthy has made no bones about his desire to take control of a big team. He recently spent time with Jose Mourninho’s Tottenham. The Spurs manager is familiar with McCarthy from their time together at Porto. McCarthy left Cape Town City after a falling out with ownership whom he felt were reluctant to spend the money required to achieve their goals.

As things stand, Kaizer Chiefs will not be able to reinforce their squad in the upcoming transfer window due to Fifa ban. The ban could give prospective coaches pause considering they would need to direct the team as it is, in the forthcoming campaign.

Botswana national team coach Adel Amrouche has also been linked with the job as the rumour mill kicked into overdrive this week. Much of Amrouche’s experience has been with national teams which may position him as a favourite if the transfer ban stays in place, considering his ability to work with players available to him.