Stuart Baxter was non-committal about his Kaizer Chiefs future yesterday, as speculation mounts that this could well be his final week in the club's dugout.
Baxter's contract has just a year left to run and, after clinching his second Absa Premiership title, the Englishman is said to be looking for new challenges.
"We live in a land of rumours," Baxter said when quizzed about his future at the Carling Black Label Cup launch. "But whatever I say will just add fuel to those rumours. So I'd rather we carry on for the remainder of the season and I'm sure after that it will be clearer for everyone."
Chiefs' season concludes with clashes against Bidvest Wits tomorrow (FNB Stadium, 7.30pm) and Chippa United on Saturday in Port Elizabeth, where they will be officially bestowed with the league crown.
But apart from Baxter, other senior players could be making their final appearance for the club.
Tefu Mashamaite, Itumeleng Khune and Mandla Masango's contracts end next month, and while Baxter said the drawn out negotiations with the players' agents hadn't brought instability to his side, he was adamant the situation should be resolved urgently.
"In Masha and Itu, you're talking about two players who have been central figures in the three years that I've been with the club. I would like to see the issue [of the contracts] resolved as soon as possible," Baxter said.
Asked at yesterday's launch if he would renew his deal with Amakhosi, Mashamaite said: "I don't know."
His agent Jazzman Mahlakgane insisted Mashamaite would stay at Chiefs.
"We are in the process of finalising a new contract. He's staying with the club," he told Sowetan.
"We have been negotiating in good faith with Chiefs but contracts are a two-way thing. If you're not happy with certain things, you send it back for renegotiation, and that's what has delayed this whole process."
Baxter, meanwhile, said Chiefs would field a strong side in their remaining two games, even though they have already set a record points total in clinching the title.
"I don't think it would be fair to pick a weakened side," he said.
"Other teams are fighting for something either at the top of bottom of the table. So no, I won't make wholesale changes for the remaining games."
lSee page 25
Baxter mum on his future
Stuart Baxter was non-committal about his Kaizer Chiefs future yesterday, as speculation mounts that this could well be his final week in the club's dugout.
Baxter's contract has just a year left to run and, after clinching his second Absa Premiership title, the Englishman is said to be looking for new challenges.
"We live in a land of rumours," Baxter said when quizzed about his future at the Carling Black Label Cup launch. "But whatever I say will just add fuel to those rumours. So I'd rather we carry on for the remainder of the season and I'm sure after that it will be clearer for everyone."
Chiefs' season concludes with clashes against Bidvest Wits tomorrow (FNB Stadium, 7.30pm) and Chippa United on Saturday in Port Elizabeth, where they will be officially bestowed with the league crown.
But apart from Baxter, other senior players could be making their final appearance for the club.
Tefu Mashamaite, Itumeleng Khune and Mandla Masango's contracts end next month, and while Baxter said the drawn out negotiations with the players' agents hadn't brought instability to his side, he was adamant the situation should be resolved urgently.
"In Masha and Itu, you're talking about two players who have been central figures in the three years that I've been with the club. I would like to see the issue [of the contracts] resolved as soon as possible," Baxter said.
Asked at yesterday's launch if he would renew his deal with Amakhosi, Mashamaite said: "I don't know."
His agent Jazzman Mahlakgane insisted Mashamaite would stay at Chiefs.
"We are in the process of finalising a new contract. He's staying with the club," he told Sowetan.
"We have been negotiating in good faith with Chiefs but contracts are a two-way thing. If you're not happy with certain things, you send it back for renegotiation, and that's what has delayed this whole process."
Baxter, meanwhile, said Chiefs would field a strong side in their remaining two games, even though they have already set a record points total in clinching the title.
"I don't think it would be fair to pick a weakened side," he said.
"Other teams are fighting for something either at the top of bottom of the table. So no, I won't make wholesale changes for the remaining games."
lSee page 25
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