The-Shot.Net Writers Club - BAFANA APPOINT A NEW COACH

England's former under-19 coach, Stuart Baxter, has been named as South Africa's new coach. Baxter succeeds Shakes Mashaba, who was unceremoniously dismissed on the eve of African Cup of Nations. Baxter was offered a two-year contract to take the team through to the 2006 African Cup of Nations and World Cup finals. Veli Mahlangu, chairman of the committee tasked by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to appoint a coach, said they are happy with the choice: "He has impeccable references and impressed us very much when we met with him. Mr. Baxter's international footballing career impressed the committee immensely. His strength in human relations and motivational skills were apparent during the interview". The interview conducted by the committee headed by Mahlangu included England 1966 World Cup winner Terry Paine.

"South Africa doesn't deserve this organization".
Gleeson

Of the 29 coaches who applied for the job, only Baxter was interviewed, a move strongly criticized by the local media. Well-known journalist and commentator, Mark Gleeson, said the manner in which Baxter was appointed underlines the weaknesses of SAFA. "It's another poor effort from SAFA. South Africa doesn't deserve this organization. Obviously, they haven't done their homework properly. One interview is nonsense". Amongst others who applied for the job were Roger Lemerre, former French manager who won the European Championship 2000 and the Africa Cup of Nations with Tunisia, former Cameroon coach Claude Le Roy, former France coach Michel Henri, former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson, former England coach Glenn Hoddle, former Chelsea coach Gianlucca Vialli, as well as former Switzerland and Inter Milan coach, Roy Hodgson. Stuart Baxter was named Wednesday as the new South African soccer coach. The 50-year old Baxter played professionally during the 1970's as a central defender for Preston North End, Stockport County and Dundee United. During the 1980's, he held coaching posts with Örebro SK (Sweden), IF Skarp (Norway) and Vitória Setúbal (Portugal). He also coached Swedish side Halmstad BK and Djurgårdens IF. He joined Bafana Bafana from the English FA, where he was coaching the under-19 team, and reportedly in the plans to assist Sven-Göran Eriksson with the senior side for the European Championship 2004.