SuperSport United have given Safa permission to enter into negotiations with coach Stuart Baxter.

The club confirmed the news on Thursday, with Safa struggling for weeks to nail down a replacement for Shakes Mashaba.

Mashaba was axed in December, leaving Safa to place Owen da Gama in charge, albeit temporarily.

There have been a number of potential candidates in the frame to replace Mashaba, but now it appears Baxter, the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor, is in pole position.

Baxter is no stranger to the job, as he led the national team between 2004-05 ,but left the post after failing to guide South Africa to the 2006 World Cup.

During his stint in charge, he won 10 of 23 matches, with four draws.

SuperSport have also stated that while Baxter will be allowed to leave, it will only be at the end of the current season as they chase league and cup success.