Veteran coach Gavin Hunt has left Durban City with immediate effect,
following the club’s 2–0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Sources
close to the situation have told PSLSA that persistent behind-the-scenes
tensions, particularly over management interference in football matters, led
to an irreparable breakdown between Hunt and the club’s hierarchy.
These reports indicate that Hunt and management had been “knocking heads
consistently” in recent weeks over control of football operations,
ultimately making the relationship unsustainable.
However, in an official response, Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia
strongly refuted claims of interference, calling them “baseless.” He stated
the separation was reached “by mutual agreement” after “extensive and
confidential discussions” between Hunt and the board.
Kadodia emphasised that while the club exercises “strategic oversight,”
technical and operational decisions remain with the coaching staff. He also
expressed that the club does not handle personnel matters through unnamed
sources or the media, and thanked Hunt for his service.
The timing of the departure is notable, as Hunt had already begun planning
for the upcoming AFCON break—a period he saw as key to reshaping the squad.
After the Pirates match, Hunt had hinted at the challenge of aligning his
vision with the club’s leadership:
“I’ve got a plan, but yeah, there’s another plan as well, so we’re going to
have to try and correlate our plans… I know what to do and what not to do…
but that’s got to go through management and all that.”
These comments now appear to signal the underlying friction that sources say
culminated in Hunt’s exit.
Hunt’s record at Durban City ends with 16 matches: six wins, six defeats,
and four draws. The club has confirmed that the search for a new head coach
is underway and that their focus is now on supporting the interim technical
team and preparing for upcoming fixtures.
