Staff Reporter.
Chippa United has confirmed that they had signed Gavin Hunt as their new head coach, ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Hunt has been out of a job since being sacked by Kaizer Chiefs at the end of May, with the side sitting in relegation danger, with just two DStv Premiership games to go in the season, though they had also reached the Caf Champions League semifinals.
The 56 year-old has a sterling CV in the local game, even if it was slightly tainted by his time at Chiefs, having won four DStv Premiership titles, three in-a-row with SuperSport United between 2007 and 2010, and another at Bidvest Wits in 2016.
Chippa were the team that finished 15th in the Premiership last season, and had to play in the promotion/relegation play-offs. While those were hampered by the refusal to participate of Royal AM, Chippa took four points from two matches against Richards Bay FC, and are expected to remain in the Premiership next season.
Stellenbosch were also said to be interested in signing Hunt, with his salary a potential stumbling block, however, while SuperSport United appear to have decided to stick with Kaitano Tembo for next season.
Chippa United Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavin Hunt as the Club’s new Head Coach.
Welcome to Eastern Cape, The Home Of The Chilli Boys.#PrideOfEasternCape#AyeyeChilliBoysAyeye??? pic.twitter.com/rpC3ITee6S— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) July 7, 2021
Meanwhile Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has reacted to Gavin Hunt’s decision to join Chippa United after being sacked at Kaizer Chiefs.
Mosimane feels Hunt could have easily followed him and the likes of Florent Ibenge to coach in North Africa due to his decorated CV.
“A job is a job as long as you are coaching in football, I agree with Gavin, just coach, just coach football but that’s life, that’s how it is. For me, he’s one of the most successful coaches in South Africa,” he said in an online press conference with The SAFJA.
“I’ve had battles with him on the pitch and he’s been a decent guy, okay we’ve had jabs here and there because if we fight for the league title with me you know there’s going to be mind games a little bit. But he controlled it well and gave a team [Bidvest Wits] a league title after 100 years.
“I believe coach Hunt can coach in North Africa, no doubt, no doubt about. But he opted for Chippa, that’s his life. North Africa, the life here is not playing golf and all that, there’s no life, forget about it.