SuperSport United’s newly appointed head coach Stuart Baxter says he has to hit the ground running as he takes charge of the Club midway through the season.
Baxter parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs at the end of last season to take up a post in Turkey, having won two League titles, the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup in his three seasons in charge at Naturena. However his stint in Turkey was short lived, opening the way for his return to South Africa.
Baxter said ” I have loved working in South Africa and when my agent Steve Kapelushnick informed me of the interest from SuperSport I was really excited to be coming back ‘ home ‘ and to work for a brand that has quickly established itself as a strong force in the PSL. SuperSport United is a dynamic and an ambitious club with a fantastic track record from their first team to the academy and the overall professional way the Club is run. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Baxter will retain assistant coach Kaitano Tembo as his assistant and will add Academy Technical Director Kwanele Kopo to his technical bench.
Baxter explained: “it’s a difficult position the Club finds itself in at the wrong end of the table and with limited preparation time, but it’s an exciting challenge for me to turn things around and build towards next season. I have had a few options on the table since leaving Turkey but nothing has excited me more than joining SuperSport. ”
Club Chairman Khulu Sibiya expressed his satisfaction with Baxter joining Matsatsantsa. “Stuart Baxter has achieved outstanding results at Kaizer Chiefs in the 3 previous seasons, adding trophies to the cabinet and playing a good brand of football. This is what we are looking for at our Club – good and winning football. We will give him all the support in ensuring a 16th consecutive Top 8 finish for our Club and in preparing a solid team for next season.”
Baxter has signed a two and a half year deal with Matsatsantsa.
