Baxter’s future with Bafana in his own hands

Following their 2019 African Cup of Nations exit, Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter is playing his cards close to his chest regarding his future at the helm of the national team.

Read: Baxter coy on his future after Bafana’s AFCON exit

Bafana returned from Egypt on Saturday with their African Cup of Nations dreams crushed after they narrowly lost 2-1 to old foes Nigeria in the quarter-finals, and it is not surprising that the coach’s name is at the centre of attention regarding him and the team’s continuity.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) held a press conference at OR Tambo International Airport upon the team’s arrival, and Baxter hinted that his future with the South African national team is in his own hands.

“Look, I’ve got no problems leaving this job! Don’t confuse me with a coach that’s desperate for a job,” Baxter said, as quoted by KickOff.com.

“This week, I’ve turned down a job with a North African nation. I’ve turned down a job last week with the Saudi (Arabians). I’ve turned down jobs in Asia and South Africa to stay with this team.

“I am not a desperate coach! I stayed in the job because I want to take the team forward. And if I don’t, I’ll leave. So, don’t confuse me with that desperate coach of ‘please don’t sack me’.”

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The 65-year-old also added that after a long campaign and preparations for the tournament, he will take some time off to reflect and decide on his future.

“It has been a long campaign. I’ll go back to Sweden for a few days and look at myself and say, ‘Do you really think, given the situation, you can take the team forward?’

“If the answer is ‘no’ I will step aside, and if it’s ‘yes’ then I will speak to my employer, and if they think the same, I will get on with the job.”