BULAWAYO – Highlanders will not be renewing Brito Baltemar’s contract when it ends on December 31, the club announced on Monday sparking a search for a new coach.
The Portuguese coach will leave with his assistant, Antonio Torres.
A club statement said: “Coach Brito and Torres’ contracts with the club end on December 31, 2023. The club and the two coaches have mutually agreed not to extend their stay beyond the stated period.
“The club thanks Brito and Torres for their time with the club and also wishes them all the best in their new endeavours.”
Baltemar has already accepted a job as caretaker coach of the Zimbabwe national team.
In his only season at the club after joining in June 2022, Baltemar led Highlanders to a fifth place finish, 11 points behind champions Ngezi Platinum.
Highlanders topped the league for most of the season but their lack of firepower in front of goal saw them score just 24 goals in 34 matches – the third worst attack in the league.
Their stay at the top was built on a strong defence which conceded just 22 goals – the second best record behind Dynamos who let in just 16.
Baltemar’s salary was being paid by Sakunda, the club’s main sponsor.
Should the club fail to extend the partnership with Sakunda, they could be forced to look inward for Baltemar’s replacement. His two other assistants Madinda Ndlovu and Joel Luphahla will be among the favourites to replace the Portuguese.
