Share

SuperSport want Baxter to complete PSL season

Cape Town - SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews says the PSL club will not stand in the way of Stuart Baxter becoming the new Bafana Bafana boss.

Baxter is favorite to return for a second spell as the South Africa national team head coach after Matsatsansa allowed the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor to start an open contract discussion with the South African Football Association.

While Matthews highlighted they've never stood in the way of any coach furthering their career away from the title-chasing outfit, he conceded they won't allow Baxter to leave before the end of the current campaign.

With the club are still firmly within the title race, the club's CEO is reluctant to allow the Englishman to part ways at such a crucial stage of the season.

"We are still not prepared to allow him to go before the end of the season because that will hurt us," he told IOL website. "We have big league games coming up and we want to be the first team to retain the Nedbank Cup and could go all the way in the CAF Confederation Cup.

"It is not the first time they come in for one of us. When they wanted Pitso (Mosimane) all those years ago, he went. They asked for Thomas Madigage to assist Gordon Igesund and he went. 

"When Gavin Hunt was still our coach they asked if he could come in for an interview for the Bafana job and he went," Matthews added. "So we are not unhappy, but of course this can be a period of uncertainty, which is why we would have this wrapped up quickly.

"Nothing has been finalised yet. We have asked for a conclusion by Friday because we cannot have this go on for longer. 

"It can have some serious repercussions to our plans this season. We can't hold Stuart back if he feels he wants to take the opportunity, but we need to be prepared for life after him."

Baxter's first tenure lasted a year between 2004 and 2005 before he resigned after failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE