Durban City FC and Gavin Hunt split by mutual agreement

Durban City FC have confirmed the immediate departure of head coach Gavin Hunt after both parties agreed to a mutual separation, bringing a swift end to his tenure at the newly promoted Betway Premiership club.

The club said the decision follows a comprehensive internal review of the team’s performance, objectives and overall trajectory. With the side showing flashes of competitiveness but battling inconsistency, the board felt a change was required to stabilise the campaign before the AFCON break.

City currently occupy eighth on the Betway Premiership standings at nearly the halfway point of the campaign.

“This was a decision reached amicably in the best interests of the Club. We thank Gavin for his dedication and service during his time with us and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career,” club chairman Farook Kadodia said.

Kadodia emphasised that the club is committed to long-term growth and that a recalibration of the technical direction had become necessary.

“The Board believes a new direction is necessary to achieve our performance goals,” he added.

Assistant coach Pitso Dladla has been appointed interim head coach and will guide the team through their next fixture — a midweek clash against Orbit College.

The timing gives Dladla an immediate opportunity to steady the group and prepare them for a demanding stretch before domestic football pauses for the continental showpiece in Morocco.

Hunt’s exit arrives just months into Durban City’s return to the elite division. The vastly experienced coach, a four-time league champion, was brought in to provide structure and top-flight know-how as the club adjusted to Premiership demands.

While performances were promising in phases, results did not always match the effort, and the points return ultimately sparked reflection behind the scenes.

Despite the early separation, the club insists the relationship remains respectful and that the decision was guided purely by what both parties deemed best for the team’s progression.

There is no indication of disagreement or breakdown — instead, both parties frame the conclusion as a professional and mutually beneficial step forward.

Durban City will now begin a formal process to identify a permanent head coach. No timeline has been set, but the club is expected to use the AFCON window to complete interviews and secure a candidate aligned with their sporting model.

For now, Dladla takes temporary charge with the mandate to stabilise the squad and consolidate momentum.

With Durban City still well-placed to push upward in the table, the leadership change marks the beginning of a critical period for the ambitious KwaZulu-Natal side.