Kaizer Chiefs name Gavin Hunt as Middendorp’s successor

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Kaizer Chiefs have named former Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt as Ernst Middendorp’s successor at Naturena.

Chiefs relieved Middendorp of his duties last week following the heart-breaking drama on the final day of the season when Mamelodi Sundowns snatch the title away from Amakhosi.

Rumours almost immediately began to swirl around linking the former SuperSport United boss, Benni McCarthy and Adel Amrouche to the job.

Hunt, though, was left without a job following the sale of the Clever Boys to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, with the new owners showing no intention to keep him on and relocate him to Limpopo due to his high wages.

With the three-time PSL winning coach on the market Chiefs acted quickly to secure his services on a three-year deal.

Chiefs will be hoping that the experienced title-winning coach will help guide the club back to silverware following a five-year trophy drought, the longest in the club’s history.

“We looked at our situation and our needs before deciding on Gavin,” said Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung on Hunt’s appointment.

“He brings with him an abundance of experience, having coached about fives teams in the Premiership. There is success wherever he has coached.

“Given that the Covid-19 epidemic has forced us to finish the season in the bio-bubble and that the squad will only rest for two weeks before the players return for pre-season, we needed a coach who understands the local market and conditions. We believe that with Hunt we have brought in a person with the right experience and energy to do just that.

“Playing on the continent is key for us as we haven’t done as well as we should have,” Motaung continued. “We have players who have participated in the competition and this experience should certainly be to our advantage.

“The other thing I have always emphasised is the need for coaches to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge. The game has changed and become much more scientific”, added Motaung. “We know Gavin always endeavours to learn more about the game by attending courses both locally and overseas. This knowledge will come in handy to guide our team. We are looking forward to him sharing his experience with the team.”

The club will also make an announcement on the new assistant coach in due course.

Hunt will meet the team for the first time next week when the squad returns to training in preparation of the 2020-21 season.

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Dean Workman