Hunt In Talks With Stellenbosch

Sportswire has learnt that legendary coach Gavin Hunt is in talks with Stellenbosch FC as a potential replacement for Steve Barker.

Barker stepped down as Stellenbosch head coach a few days ago to take over at Tanzanian giants Simba SC, in a shock move that caught many by surprise.

Hunt is currently without a club after parting ways with Durban City on 1 December following a defeat to Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The four-time league-winning coach had only been appointed during the off-season, shortly after Durban City earned promotion to the PSL top flight by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Although the loss to Pirates was only City’s second home defeat of the season — the other coming against Kaizer Chiefs — the club was reportedly unhappy with the direction in which Hunt was taking the team, despite the fact that they were not in immediate danger of relegation.

Those who worked closely with Hunt at Durban City allegedly described him as an old-school coach, at a time when the modern game is increasingly driven by data and performance analysis.

Should negotiations be finalised, Hunt would take over a Stellenbosch side currently hovering above the relegation zone. Stellies sit 14th on the table with 12 points after 14 matches, just one point ahead of 15th-placed Magesi, who have played the same number of games.

Hunt would be under immediate pressure to steer the team away from relegation danger.

Stellenbosch have also struggled at home this season, recording five league defeats, one win and two draws from their eight matches played.

However, Hunt would inherit a side that has once again qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages — an achievement they have managed for the second time.

It is a stage Hunt is eager to operate on, as he looks to test himself against the best teams on the African continent.