Mngqithi Slams Durban City’s ‘Harsh’ Hunt Sacking

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi feels the decision by Durban City to sack Gavin Hunt was harsh, as the club was performing well. He also wonders what will happen next regarding the club’s new coaching appointment.

Hunt was dismissed last Monday after City lost to Orlando Pirates in a league match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It was City’s second home defeat, the other coming against Kaizer Chiefs — another giant of South African football like Pirates — in a match played at the 2010 World Cup venue instead of their usual home ground, Chatsworth Stadium.

However, the club felt the direction Hunt was taking the team was not what they had envisaged, leading to the decision to part ways with him.

Hunt was appointed at the start of the season after City gained promotion to the PSL top flight at the end of last season. Hiring an experienced coach who has won the league four times in his career was seen as a strategic move to stabilise the club in the premier division.

Following Hunt’s departure, City appointed Pitso Dladla, Hunt’s assistant, as interim coach while chairman Farook Kadodia assesses potential candidates for the permanent role.

There are suggestions that City are interested in bringing back Ernst Middendorp, who left recently after serving three months as the club’s technical director, where he helped put various structures in place.

“I think Gavin, in my opinion, was still doing well at Durban City,” Mngqithi said.

“He has introduced a lot of youngsters who are playing well, who did very well in the NFD, and their position on the log for a team coming from the NFD is very good.

“I wonder what is going to happen next because, if they were not excited about what he was doing, the question is: do they want to progress and play expansive football, or do they want someone who will give them better percentages of getting into the box?

“But I’m not judging any team, I’m just giving you my view on how I see the PSL this season.”