Matthew Booth (File)

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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth admits that he is going to miss having Joel Santana as his national team coach.

The Brazilian mentor departed from his post on Monday afternoon after a string of poor results, which included six straight defeats.

Booth has been left a little upset by the situation and is sad to see the man who gave him his big chance on the international scene leave.

The Mamelodi Sundowns star exclusively told Football365.co.za: "I really mean it when I say I am going to miss him. I have always had a bit of a soft spot for him considering that he did give me a chance and showed a lot of faith in me ahead of the Confederations Cup when everyone was calling for my exclusion.

"I will always be grateful to him for that opportunity. But I can understand why it happened because after all people want results. Unfortunately that hasn't happened."

While many critics are laying the blame solely on 60-year-old coach, Booth believes the players need to accept that they have also been part of the problem.

He continued: "Whether he should take full blame for it is another debate.

"I think the players themselves should definitely hold up their hands and also acknowledge that they must take some responsibility for this as well."

A replacement for Santana is set to be announced within the next week, bringing with him a new sense of optimism for players whom have been left out in the cold of late.

Benni McCarthy and Nasief Morris are just two players who will no doubt be recalled to action, but Booth is of the thinking that local players now have the chance to stand up and be counted.

The 32-year-old said: "I think with a new coach coming into the team it will create more competition. I think that not only within the present squad but also the PSL.

"In that respect I think it will be good because people will start upping their game if they know what is good for them. They will want to impress the new coach, whoever he is."

Several names have already been thrown into the ring with regards to who will take the reigns from Santana.

The likes of Gavin Hunt, Jomo Sono and Clive Barker, whom all made up the assessment team for the clash with Iceland, could take over, but Booth admits that while he is not in a position to put any names forward, it would be a good idea to appoint from within the country.

The former FC Rostov and Krylia Sovetov Samara defender added: "I am just a player, I am not going to recommend or suggest.

"But I think it is probably common sense that with such little time before the World Cup you have someone who already knows the players. Hence a local coach or (Carlos Alberto) Parreira."