Durban City move on from Gavin Hunt with Dlada interim as applications flood in

DURBAN City have moved quickly to steady their season after parting ways with Gavin Hunt, confirming that assistant coach Pitso Dlada will guide the side on an interim basis while the search for a permanent replacement gathers momentum.

Hunt’s exit followed Saturday’s defeat to Orlando Pirates, a result that left the Team of Choice in eighth position heading into Wednesday’s final Betway Premiership match of the year against Orbit College. The club announced that the coach had departed by mutual consent after a strategic review.

In a statement, the club said: “Durban City Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Gavin Hunt has left the Club by mutual consent.

“The decision follows a review of the footballing strategy conducted by the Board of Directors, which concluded a new approach is required to achieve the Club's objectives.”

Club chairman Farook Kadodia added: “This was a mutual decision, taken with the Club’s best interests at heart. I’d like to thank Gavin personally for his hard work and dedication, and we all wish him well for the future.”

Dlada will lead the team on Wednesday as the club enters a period of transition. Kadodia said: “It is now the right time for change as we look to build a competitive side with the future in mind.” The club confirmed it will use the Africa Cup of Nations break to run its appointment process for a new head coach, giving the incoming leader time to prepare the squad for the second half of the campaign.

Interest grows in the vacant job

In the days since Hunt’s departure, Durban City are understood to be receiving significant interest in the role. According to sources, representatives of several coaches have already submitted profiles for consideration, including Romain Folz, Rafal Janas, Mihail Marian, Bernd Storck, Thiago Mendes Larghi and Pablo Machí.

While these names are under review, it is understood that Kadodia and the board are not rushing the process. The upcoming break provides what the club considers a rare window to make a measured appointment.

With Dlada steadying the side for now, the focus behind the scenes remains on identifying a long-term successor. Although the level of interest indicates confidence in the club’s direction, no announcement is expected in the immediate future as Durban City continue a deliberate selection process.