Baxter can go, but we’d love him to stay – Pieterse

Baxter has been at the centre of speculation surrounding his potential appointment as Bafana Bafana coach.

The rumours were escalated when the club released a statement, stating that they had given Safa the go ahead to engage their coach.

The national side has been without a coach after the sacking of Shakes Mashaba in December last year.

In recent days, murmurings have it that Baxter is expected to be announced for his second Bafana stint after leaving the job over a decade ago and will allegedly earn a staggering R1-million a month.

Reyaad Pieterse admits that he would be gloomy if he were to see Baxter joining South African’s senior men team, but says if the move is the best for the Scott, he along with his teammates will accept his departure.

“At the end of the day we are all professionals and if the move will benefit Stuart and his family, I think he should go for it. For us as a club, we are just happy to have him there and learn from him as much as we can. We would love for him to stay on,” he told Phakaaathi.

Pieterse was lured to Matsatsantsa by Baxter in what one would flippantly describe as a pilfering move by the former Kaizer Chiefs coach, as he has brought the likes of Keagan Ritchie, Morgan Gould and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, all whom he enjoyed success during their stay with Amakhosi.

One can’t help but imagine that a Bafana move for Baxter, could see the 25-year-old flirt with the national set-up.

Notwithstanding, however, that Pieterse has proven to be a cut above the rest, and he attributes his scintillating displays in between the sticks to the tough competition for the No.1 jersey, and the experience of goalkeeper coach Andre Arendse.

“Coach Andre is a top goalkeeper coach, he is one who has worked with top internationals as well, so he has got all the experience. It has been really good working with him and he helps us a lot. His drills have been good together with the competition. The coach at the end of the day has the final say. We are a good unit, a good bunch, we work very hard to do the best that we can and support each other,” he said.