Baxter speaks on Bafana post - Job's interesting but he's not interested

STUART Baxter described the Safa technical director post as "interesting and very important".

The former Bafana Bafana coach commented publicly for the first time following reports he was going back to Safa.

"I have not received any formal approach from Safa. I would like Safa to go through proper procedure if they are interested in my services," he said.

"I think we are in the situation where speculation picks up speed and gets ahead of itself, it gets ahead of the people. What we've tried to do is to have a clear assessment of what the situation is.

"And I think you'll understand that those discussions are between me and my employer. I'm a Kaizer Chiefs coach and I respect my employer."

Asked outright if he is interested in the job, Baxter said: "No, I'm the Chiefs coach."

But Baxter understands the importance of the Safa position.

"The technical director in any country is an important job, especially the country I work in.

"It is an interesting job. That is an objective assessment, there is no job application and I have not approached Safa. I'm Chiefs coach and will do things conducive to the success of Chiefs."

The Englishman said he was honoured to have his name linked to the position Fran Hilton-Smith has been acting in for the past two years.

"I'm deeply honoured to be mentioned in that way. On the other hand, I have worked at Safa. When I worked there, it was difficult to drive certain policies I wanted to drive through. That's the reality.

"How things have changed I don't know."

Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung said: "As far as we are concerned, Stuart is our coach. We have not been approached by Safa. We are busy with preparations for the new season and everything is going well."