SuperSport United’s seasoned striker, Bradley Grobler, recently shared his candid thoughts on the unexpected departure of head coach Gavin Hunt, revealing that the news sent ripples of surprise through the team.
Hunt’s second tenure with SuperSport United concluded abruptly in March earlier this year, amidst a challenging 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Despite his storied history with the club, which included securing three league titles during his initial spell, his return saw the team struggling significantly.
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At the time of his exit, Matsatsantsa found themselves precariously close to the relegation zone, having secured a mere five league victories and occupying the second-to-last position. The season ultimately concluded with SuperSport finishing 14th.
In an interview featured in iDiski Times edition 208, Grobler admitted the coaching change caught many off guard. “Yeah, I think it did come as a shock,” Grobler stated. “A lot of us didn’t expect it, but it’s not up to us. As professionals, you need to kind of get on with it.”
The 36-year-old striker, no stranger to coaching upheavals throughout his extensive career, acknowledged that while there was an initial sense of disappointment, the immediate focus quickly shifted to the critical task of avoiding relegation.
“I’ve probably gone through this 20 times in my career. It’s part of the job. As much as some players might have been disappointed, the team got on with it. Everyone knows they’ve got a job to do,” Grobler explained, highlighting the pragmatic approach required in professional football.
Grobler pointed to the team’s persistent struggle to convert promising performances into tangible results as a key source of frustration during the difficult season.
“We’ve been very good, I think, but it’s just been one of those seasons. We had to grit our teeth, get through it, and make sure we stayed in the league,” he recounted.
Despite the challenging campaign, Grobler remains optimistic about SuperSport United’s prospects, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to rebound. “I believe next year can be a very good year for this team,” he affirmed.
With a period of transition now seemingly behind them and the club poised for a squad refresh and a new technical direction, all eyes will be on whether SuperSport United can recapture the consistency that once positioned them as formidable title contenders.