Swallows promise new coach in place by SATURDAY!

Swallows CEO Sipho Xulu is keeping his cards close to his chest as the struggling club searches for a new head coach following the sacking of Brandon Truter.

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The Birds, who are currently 16th – and last – in the DStv Premiership log, hope to be in a position to name a new boss ahead of Saturday’s clash against Maritzburg United at the Dobsonville Stadium.

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As reported by The South African website, former Chippa United coach Gavin Hunt has emerged as the early frontrunner for the job.

However, Xulu has refused to name any of the potential candidates for the vacant post, saying only that the club has received several applications.

“I can’t say whether Gavin’s name is there or not. There are a lot of people who have applied,” Xulu reportedly told SowetanLIVE.

“We got a lot of applications, some we know, others we don’t know. We have to announce it before the game against Maritzburg.

“Later this week, we will have a coach, whether it is interim or permanent.

“Every available coach will be linked with us currently.”

Xulu added: “What I can tell you is that we will have a coach soon, once we agree on everything.”

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Hunt, 57, is of course no stranger to the Swallows job having been in charge from 2002 to 2007 during which time he won the Absa Cup in 2004.

Gavin Hunt among SA’s most successful coaches

Hunt is one of South Africa’s most decorated coaches.

He led SuperSport United to three consecutive PSL titles – 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 – and also masterminded a domestic league title for Bidvest Wits in the 2016/17 season.

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In recent times it’s been more of a struggle for the former Hellenic legend.

He was fired as Kaizer Chiefs coach after 10 months in the job and lasted less than half a season at the Chilli Boys.

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Under Truter, Swallows recorded one win, five draws and six defeats in their first 12 matches of the 2021/22 season.

They have scored a league-low three goals while conceding 13 for a league-worst differential of negative 10.

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The good news for Swallows is that their next three matches look ‘winnable’ – on paper at least.

Swallows will next be in action at home against 11th-placed Maritzburg United on Saturday, 4 December (15:30).

That clash will be followed by an away match against 14th-placed Baroka FC (Tuesday, 8 December at 17:00), after which Swallows will host 15th-placed Marumo Gallants on Saturday, 11 December at 15:30.

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