After celebrating being in charge of 1000 games in the top flight professionally, Gavin Hunt has been sacked by his Betway Premiership team, SuperSport United. The writing was on the wall for the 60-year-old coach when his team lost important games before the end of the 2024/25 season.

RELEGATION THREAT

Matsatsantsa a Pitori are currently languishing in the relegation zone, at position 15, a position above the suspended Royal AM. Just last month, Hunt was feted when his team played against Lamontville Golden Arrows in Pretoria for reaching a milestone. With no chances of winning a trophy after being knocked out by Orlando Pirates during the Nedbank quarter-finals, SuperSport United find themselves fighting relegation. A source said before the Pirates game, Hunt had asked to be relieved of his duties, but management asked that he win them the Nedbank Cup or reach the finals. "He was told to put his focus on trying to get a win against Pirates, and then the team lost on penalties. "His mandate was to focus on the Nedbank Cup and then help the team fight to reach at least the top 8 like last season. He failed, so the team had to release him," said the source.

Since their abandoned match on February 23 against Arrows, United lost away games to Magesi FC and Richards Bay and drew 0-0 with AmaZulu in Umlazi, Durban. On March 11, they lost 3-1 to TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium. The source said, "With Magesi winning again on the weekend, Hunt had to leave the team." The win dragged SuperSport to the relegation zone. Now the team needs a new leader with new ideas to help us avoid fighting relegation at the end of the season," said the source.

ARENDSE TAKES OVER THE REINS

With nine games to wrap up the league, assistant coach Andre Arendse has been tasked to take over the reins on an interim basis until the end of the season at the end of May. "His task is to save the team from relegation. Andre has been part of the setup of the team, and he will lift the players' morale to end the season in a respectable position," said the informant. Hunt, who played for Hellenic for a decade, has coached several top-flight teams like Moroka Swallows, Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United. He has been at SuperSport United for a third stint. He joined the team in 2007, before leaving for Swallows, then rejoined them in 2013. After leaving, he rejoined the team in 2022 after leaving Chippa United.