JOHANNESBURG - Gavin Hunt's future at Bidvest Wits is safe and secured for now despite the team’s terrible start to their Absa Premiership title defence.
Beleaguered Hunt has not enjoyed the best of starts to the 2017/18 campaign and has already failed to defend the MTN8 crown.
Wits crashed out in the semi-finals of that competition after losing both legs against Cape Town City and their poor start to this season was transferred into their league matches.
The Clever Boys have tasted defeat on four occasions, succumbing to Cape Town City, Lamontville Golden Arrows, AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic.
They have registered only one victory, beating Orlando Pirates, while their other two points were gained in draws against Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars.
Surely, that should make any club worried. But not Wits CEO Jose Ferreira, who revealed the club has no intention of ditching Hunt following the poor start.
“We don’t do things like that at the club. We don’t react to temporary bad form. Gavin has just won us the league for the first time in the club’s history. He also won the MTN8," Ferreira said.
"We are not even talking about firing the coach. Gavin still has many years with us. We will only consider offers for Gavin if he is wanted by Bafana Bafana. At the moment they still have a coach who is good for the country in Stuart Baxter.”
Hunt has recently been criticized for tinkering too much with his team. The Clever Boys also signed top players at beginning of the season, securing the services of Steven Pienaar, Daylon Classen, Kamobelo Kodisang, Puleng Tlhone and Slavko Damjanovic.
“I don't think so," said Ferreira of the supposed tinkering. "We lost the exceptional Phakamani Mahlambi and then we lost Buhle Mkhwanazi, who formed a formidable partnership with Thulani Hlatshwayo at the heart of defence. Darren Keet is also injured.
"So, injuries have forced the coach to make changes while other players are stilling gelling and trying to find their feet. We are not panicking. We will bounce back. I think it is still possible to win the league but it is going to be difficult for us. What is nice is that other teams are also dropping points. We will fight and see where that takes us. It is still early,” Ferreira stated.
Wits will now face Baroka FC on Sunday at Peter Mokaba Stadium (kick-off 3.30pm) in Polokwane after their midweek encounter against SuperSport United was postponed due to the Caf Confederation Cup.