Kaizer Chiefs contract lesson has stayed with Gavin Hunt

Kaizer Chiefs have been used as a reference point by Gavin Hunt while reflecting on how clubs handle players who are nearing the end of their deals.

This has followed after Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie confirmed that a defender has been offered a new contract but is yet to commit.

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GAVIN HUNT STICKS TO HIS PRINCIPLES

Drawing from experience, the veteran coach pointed to how quickly decisions can impact a season when emotions take over in contract situations.

“I know a lot of coaches do it differently,” Hunt said via iDiski Times.

“I mean, I can think of Kaizer Chiefs, and they got rid of George Maluleka because he signed another contract and they were going to win the league. Are you crazy? You just got to keep playing,” Hunt told the media.

“So I call the shots. I say, ‘You either play here or you go now’. So I said to him and another player, ‘Give me your all, and otherwise, you go’.

PLAYERS, CONTRACTS AND TRUST

For Hunt, the expectation remains clear regardless of outside noise — players must continue to deliver on the pitch.

“The football Gods will get you if you cheat the game. Now, you’ll cheat when you go to your next club, won’t you? So do it properly here.

“I don’t know if he signed or not, or what’s going on, but any player who comes to the end of their contract has to look out for their own personal interests. “I understand that, but play properly, and football will look after you.

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“I always believe that. So he gave me his word. I said, ‘Okay, fine, you’ll play’, because I could have banished him, you know, just said, ‘Look, you’re not going to play’. But I don’t like to do that.

“I’ve won many leagues with players without a contract coming to the end and told them they must play.”

According to Hunt, performance and honesty come first, no matter what happens off the pitch.