SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has described what happened to Daine Klate at Chippa United as “disgraceful” and revealed what he told his former player after his sacking.
Hunt, who worked with Klate as a player extensively, winning six trophies including four league titles, said he will help Klate to bounce back.
Klate was sacked by Chippa on Thursday morning having been in charge of just seven matches with the Chilli Boyz. The sacking came a day after Chippa painfully lost 1-0 in the last minute to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.
Following that loss to Sundowns, Chippa were rooted to the bottom of the log with five points from seven matches, leading to Klate being fired.
While Klate’s agent John Wilson, who also represents Hunt, said the PE-based club “have no foresight” after sacking his client, Hunt said he warned his former winger on what was he getting himself to and hopes this will toughen him up going forward.
“I told him what he was getting himself into,” Hunt said after SuperSport defeated Maritzburg United 2-1 at Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday.
“I mean it’s disgraceful what happened to him, absolutely disgraceful. They were doing fine, the team was fighting. If you want to win games, you must buy players, and it’s really sad for him.
“I spoke to him, long chat on Thursday and I said to him, you’ll bounce back stronger. He did so well with the DStv Diski Challenge team last season and he was given a chance and seven games later, what was he supposed to do in seven games? He will come back into the game.”
Hunt knows exactly how Chippa United boss Siviwe Mpengesi operates after he was appointed by the club at the beginning of last season. But, just like Klate, Hunt was sacked, but after 10 games, having won once which is identical to his former player.
“I will help him to get back into the game. If I have to take him somewhere with me or whatever, he will get back in the game. He deserves it,” he added.
Hunt’s SuperSport climbed to sixth on the log after celebrating their third successive win.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
Klate Breaks Silence On Chippa Exit
