New Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter says he was taken aback at the negativity to his reappointment to the national team two weeks ago.
The Briton said after winning numerous titles with former club Kaizer Chiefs and outgoing employers Supersport United in the past couple of years he did not expect the disapproval that accompanied his return to a job he left in November 2005.
SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan and CEO Dennis Mumble yesterday introduced Baxter to the media for the first time since his appointment and revealed that the new coach had a five-year contract.
Baxter said he hoped the nation's football lovers would get behind the national team ahead of the difficult 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria next month.
"I understand that the media have a job to do and that the criticism is a part of our lives - negative and positive criticism - but I want to highlight one thing, not as Stuart Baxter, and that's how we can get behind the national team.
"Danny [Jordaan] spoke about all of us getting behind the national team. One ambition I have is to try to unite the whole football family behind the development of the game in this country."
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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