Where to next for Clive Barker?

JUST 24 hours after it had been made official that Gavin Hunt was replacing him as head coach of BidVest Wits, the ebullient Clive Barker was at a rehabilitation centre in Durban yesterday, lecturing and advising drug addicts and alcoholics on how to turn their lives around.

Exactly how the popular former Bafana Bafana coach intends to turn his own life around after what is widely accepted as a highly successful one-season caretaker stint at Wits, remained in the melting pot.

Barker did confirm that Wits had made him an offer to stay with the Johannesburg-based PSL club in one way or another and he would be discussing the matter with club boss Brian Joffe and chief executive Jose Ferreira in the next couple of weeks.

"I'm waiting to hear what they come up with," said Barker. "Much depends on what kind of function I would fill at the club and the remuneration offered.

"I'm particularly interested in furthering development in South African soccer at this stage of my career. And with Wits having a reputation for concentrating on development in the past, this is an area in which we might find an accord."

But whatever happened, Barker said he had experienced a stimulating and satisfying period at Wits, enjoying a close and happy relationship with the players and officials. As for his replacement as coach by ex-SuperSport United mentor Hunt, Barker said there were "no hard feelings".