Stuart Baxter’s blues that surrounded his resignation as Bafana Bafana coach have been eased by a R6,5-million offer to join a team in Japan — and he says this is only half the amount on tap from an oil-rich country in the Middle East.
”But at this stage,” said the articulate British-born coach on Wednesday, ”it looks as though I’ll either end up in Japan or Spain — although I have received several firm offers from Swedish clubs as well.
”The money in Spain’s La Liga does not match what I have been offered to go to Japan,” said the former Bafana coach, ”but I must admit the challenge of joining a club in what is today the world’s most glamorous league is highly appealing.
”The trouble with the Spanish club,” added Baxter, ”is that they are having problems parting with their current coach, who is on a lucrative three-year contract.
”After a succession of poor results, there is a strong possibility of a settlement being reached — and this could open the door for me to go to Spain.
”The Japanese offer, however, is a firm one and the only issue on my mind is how long can I wait to see what materialises in Spain.”
In the meantime, Baxter says he has undertaken a task more harrowing even than coaching Bafana — sorting out for storage his furniture and a maze of other belongings, much of which was brought to South Africa from England in anticipation of a lengthier stay in the country.
Baxter confirmed he had made an offer to caretaker Bafana coach Ted Dumitru to assist him with any information or advice during his initial teething period — ”but apparently it has been rejected”, he added.
”I believed I could fill him in in certain areas about the overseas-based players, in particular,” added Baxter, ”but if he feels it is better to make a fresh start without my input, that’s OK with me.”
One area in which much media speculation has surfaced before Dumitru makes a policy statement — and possibly the announcement of a provisional squad — on Friday centres on the position of Bafana general manager Stanley ”Screamer” Tshabalala.
A section of the media has descended on Tshabalala like a pack of wolves, but the controversial general manager has hit back with the retort: ”I’ll be going to Egypt for the forthcoming African Nations Cup, that’s for sure.”
Friday’s meeting should put this matter to bed — one way or another. — Sapa