GU tie Pantev to new deal
Larona Makhaiza | Monday June 2, 2025 09:48
With reports that clubs in the region could snatch Pantev, GU has acted quickly to tie down their Bulgarian coach. During a media briefing this week, GU director Nicholas Zakhem said Pantev had been initially hired on an interim basis to see through the remaining games following the departure of Pontsho Moloi in January. The GU director said Pantev did an impeccable job in leading the ‘Money Machine’ to the league title and therefore, deserves a new offer. “He did a wonderful job and I want to give it to him. He won the last nine games and eight was good enough but he continued with his good job to secure the league for us,” Zakhem said.
He said the coach has agreed to stay with GU with a new deal ready for Pantev. “The coach came here on an emergency mission and we have since engaged. We are about to reach an agreement with him but I want to say he has agreed that he will continue with us,” he said. Zakhem said although a new contract is on the table for Pantev, the coach is yet to sign, as there are fine details that are lagging behind. “He has agreed to continue with us although there are few things that we will have to settle preferably after this brief but let me settle it that we have an agreement with him,” Zakhem said. For his part, Pantev affirmed Zakhem's words, indicating that he will be donning the red colours of GU next season. “I am happy that I got this chance that I has been given to me by Zakhem. I can assure you that I will be there next season as more than 80% has been settled,” Pantev said. With his future sorted, Pantev outlined his targets, indicating that he will bolster the squad and has already identified areas that need reinforcements. “Plans for next season is that we need a big squad for squad depth. We will sign five or six new players; three new foreigners because there will be more competition,” he said.
Although he looks to bolster his squad, the Bulgarian indicated that some players would be let go whilst other will be allowed to leave on loan depending on talks. As GU will return to the CAF Champion’s League, Pantev revealed that his plans are to reach the group stages, a feat that’s not strange to him as he achieved a similar result with Orapa United last season. “We have to be realistic. There are too many good teams with good players in Africa and our wish is to push for the CAF group stages. So we will take it step by step because it’s better that way in terms of competitions,” Pantev said.