Stuart Baxter says he is not desperate for the Bafana Bafana job, as speculation swirls over the coach’s future.
Baxter and his squad returned from Afcon in Egypt on Saturday, having been knocked out by Nigeria at the quarterfinal stage on Wednesday night.
But after wining just two games from five with a lack of attacking football, Baxter arrived in South Africa with his back to the wall.
Asked whether the Brit was keen to continue or if he was worried about his position, Baxter was sterkgevriet.
NO GLORY: Dejected Bafana Bafana players. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
He said: “I’ve got no problems losing this job. Don’t confuse me with a coach that’s desperate for a job.
“I’ve turned down a job this week with another African nation, I’ve turned down a job last week with the Saudi.
“I’ve turned down jobs in Asia, I’ve turned down jobs in South Africa to stay with this team. I’m not desperate.
“I stay and do the job because I want to do it and I think I can take the team forward.
“The second I don’t, I’ll leave. Now don’t confuse me with a desperate coach who will say ‘oh please don’t sack me’.
“I’ll do this job because I thought this national team needed direction and I think I’ve given it the first stage of that direction.”
AFCON REVIEW: Safa boss Danny Jordaan. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.
To add to the drama, Safa president Danny Jordaan hinted that Baxter’s future may not depend whether he wants to stay or not.
He tells Timeslive: “Well‚ we obviously did not have that conversation. I think overall he is satisfied with the achievement of the team.
“But we have to take the discussion beyond that‚ of what actually happened.”