View source for Stuart Baxter

{{Short description|English-Scottish football manager}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Stuart Baxter
| image = Stuart Baxter.jpg
| caption = Baxter as a manager of [[Finland national football team|Finland]] in 2009
| fullname = Stuart William Baxter<ref name="Hugman">{{Hugman|1173|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref>
| height = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|8|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Wolverhampton]], England
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1971–1973
| youthclubs1 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
| years1 = 1973–1975
| clubs1 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
| caps1 = 41
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1975
| clubs2 = [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]]
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1975
| clubs3 = [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]]
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1976–1977
| clubs4 = [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 1978–1979
| clubs5 = [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]
| caps5 = 50
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 1980–1981
| clubs6 = [[Landskrona BoIS]]
| caps6 = 37
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 1981
| clubs7 = [[Helsingborgs IF|Helsingborg]]
| caps7 = 16
| goals7 = 7
| years9 = 1982
| clubs9 = [[Landskrona BoIS]]
| caps9 = 14
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 1983
| clubs10 = [[San Diego Sockers (NASL)|San Diego Sockers]]
| caps10 = 27
| goals10 = 12
| years11 = 1983–1984
| clubs11 = [[Örebro SK]]
| caps11 = 41
| goals11 = 19
| totalcaps = 251
| totalgoals = 76
| manageryears1 = 1985
| managerclubs1 = [[Örebro SK]]
| manageryears2 = 1986
| managerclubs2 = [[IF Skarp]]
| manageryears3 = 1987
| managerclubs3 = [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória Setubal]]
| manageryears4 = 1988–1991
| managerclubs4 = [[Halmstads BK]]
| manageryears5 = 1992–1994
| managerclubs5 = [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
| manageryears6 = 1995–1997
| managerclubs6 = [[Vissel Kobe]]
| manageryears7 = 1998–2000
| managerclubs7 = [[AIK Fotboll|AIK]]
| manageryears8 = 2001
| managerclubs8 = [[F.C. Lyn Oslo|Lyn]]
| manageryears9 = 2002–2004
| managerclubs9 = [[England national under-19 football team|England U19]]
| manageryears10 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs10 = [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]
| manageryears11 = 2006
| managerclubs11 = [[Vissel Kobe]]
| manageryears12 = 2006–2007
| managerclubs12 = [[Helsingborgs IF]]
| manageryears13 = 2008–2010
| managerclubs13 = [[Finland national football team|Finland]]
| manageryears14 = 2012–2015
| managerclubs14 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| manageryears15 = 2015
| managerclubs15 = [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]
| manageryears16 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs16 = [[SuperSport United F.C.|SuperSport United]]
| manageryears17 = 2017–2019
| managerclubs17 = [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]
| manageryears18 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs18 = [[Odisha FC|Odisha]]
| manageryears19 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs19 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| manageryears20 = 2023
| managerclubs20 = [[Helsingborgs IF]]
| managerclubs21 = [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]]
| manageryears21 = 2025–
}}
'''Stuart William Baxter''' (born 16 August 1953) is an English-Scottish [[association football|football]] coach and former player who currently manages [[Boavista F.C.|Boavista]] in the [[Primeira Liga]].

Born in England of Scottish parentage, and brought up in both countries, Baxter played professionally for a number of clubs in England, Scotland, Australia, Sweden and in the United States. He has previously managed clubs in Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Japan, South Africa, Turkey and India.

In international football, he has managed [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] twice as well as [[Finland national football team|Finland]] and the [[England under-19 national football team|England under-19 team]].

==Early life==
Stuart Baxter was born in [[Wolverhampton]], [[Staffordshire]], England, on 16 August 1953.<ref name="Hugman" /> His Scottish father, [[Bill Baxter (Scottish footballer)|Bill Baxter]], was a professional footballer then playing for [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and later for [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]. Stuart initially grew up in England, while his father was coaching at Aston Villa,<ref name="Angels" /> before the family moved to Scotland, where Bill had managerial jobs with [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]] and [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]. During this time, Stuart was educated at [[Buckhaven High School]] in Fife.<ref name="Scotsman" /> As a result of his background, Baxter is variously described as being English,<ref name="Indy2">{{Cite news |last=Tongue |first=Steve |date=12 November 2000 |title=The foreign coach born in England, made in Sweden |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/the-foreign-coach-born-in-england-made-in-sweden-624594.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/the-foreign-coach-born-in-england-made-in-sweden-624594.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> Scottish<ref name="Scotsman">{{Cite news |date=17 November 2001 |title=I'm free, Baxter tells Scots |language=en |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/i-m-free-baxter-tells-scots-1-585058 |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kyle |first=Gregor |date=9 November 2015 |title=The top Scottish football bosses who took on the world: 12 Scots who have managed overseas |work=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/top-scottish-football-bosses-who-6798522 |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> or an [[Anglo-Scot]]<ref name="Managers">{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Glenn |date=11 May 2013 |title=English managers are becoming poor relations of the top flight |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/english-managers-are-becoming-poor-relations-of-the-top-flight-8611880.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/english-managers-are-becoming-poor-relations-of-the-top-flight-8611880.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> in the media; he has commented on his identity, saying, "If I'm mentioned for a job in Scotland, they call me a Scot. If I'm mentioned for a job in England, they call me an Englishman. I call myself a European".<ref name="Guardian2">{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=26 March 2009 |title=Baxter eager to test himself on his long coach journey round the world |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/26/stuart-baxter-finland-wales |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> He has also described himself as "a mongrel" and "proud to be British, although I feel more European".<ref name="Angels">{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Phil |date=9 May 1999 |title=Football: In fear of Angels with dirty tactics |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-in-fear-of-angels-with-dirty-tactics-1092434.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-in-fear-of-angels-with-dirty-tactics-1092434.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref>

==Playing career==
Baxter began his playing career with [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in 1973. He joined Scottish club [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] in October 1975, but was released the following month after playing only for the reserve team.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gracie |first=Steve |title=The Rise of the Terrors |date=2009 |publisher=Arabest Publishing |isbn=978-0-9558341-1-0 |location=Dundee |page=187}}</ref> He then returned to England with [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]. Baxter then moved to Australia, Sweden and the United States respectively with [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]], [[Helsingborgs IF]] and [[San Diego Sockers (NASL)|San Diego Sockers]]. His playing career ended in 1983.

While playing for South Melbourne, Baxter was called up to train with the [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia national team]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hammond |first=Tom |date=6 May 1979 |title=Soccer Pitch |page=95 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10826787// |access-date=7 May 2017 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{free access}}</ref> and played for Australia in unofficial matches against a Queensland XI and [[Partizan Belgrade]] in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Socceroo B Matches for 1979 |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1979B.html |access-date=7 May 2017 |website=OzFootball}}</ref> As he had not obtained Australian citizenship, he had to be withdrawn from the squad to play against [[New Zealand national football team|New Zealand]] when the match was classified as an official international.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hammond |first=Tom |date=6 June 1979 |title=Wilson answers Soccer call |page=42 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10828162// |access-date=7 May 2017 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{free access}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

Baxter returned to Scandinavia to begin his coaching career; he worked with [[Örebro SK]]'s youth team. In 1986, he was appointed manager of minor Norwegian side [[IF Skarp]]. The following year he landed a larger managerial role with Portuguese team [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória de Setúbal]] before returning to Sweden for a three-year stint at [[Halmstads BK]] between 1988 and 1991. In his first year with Halmstad he guided them to promotion to the [[Allsvenskan]] but the club was relegated at the end of his tenure. Baxter moved to Japan to first coach [[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]], between 1992 and 1994, and then [[Vissel Kobe]], in 1997. He took over as manager of Kobe only days after an earthquake caused devastation in the city and spent two weeks living in a makeshift caravan in the club car park.

===AIK===
In 1998, Baxter was bought back to Sweden by [[AIK Fotboll|AIK]], where he guided them to the [[Swedish football champions|Swedish championship]]. Having qualified for the [[UEFA Champions League]], Baxter took AIK into the group stages where the Swedish champions played against some of Europe's largest teams, such as [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]]. Unsurprisingly, AIK finished bottom of [[UEFA Champions League 1999-00#Group B|the group]]. After two years, he moved to Norwegian side [[FC Lyn Oslo|Lyn]].

===England U-19, South Africa, Vissel Kobe and Helsingborg===
Baxter was hired by [[the Football Association]] to coach the [[England national under-19 football team|England Under-19 team]] in 2002. After two years, he was hired as [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]'s manager. As guests of the [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup]], he led South Africa to the Quarter Finals before being eliminated via a penalty shootout by [[Panama national football team|Panama]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 July 2005|title=Bafana knocked out of Concacaf Cup|url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/sport/bafana-knocked-out-of-concacaf-cup-547154|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719075430/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/sport/bafana-knocked-out-of-concacaf-cup-547154|archive-date=19 July 2020|website=www.iol.co.za}}</ref> By autumn 2005, he quit this role having failed to qualify for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. He later had another short spell at Vissel Kobe before moving back to Helsingborg, this time as manager in 2006. He took the Swedish side past the group stages of the [[2007-08 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup in 2007]], but he resigned at the end of the year.

===Finland===
At the beginning of 2008, Baxter was appointed manager of [[Finland national football team|Finland national team]] on a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stuart Baxter Huuhkajien päävalmentajaksi |language=fi |work=palloliitto.fi |publisher=Suomen Palloliitto |url=http://www.palloliitto.fi/viestinta/?num=105377 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525154709/http://www.palloliitto.fi/viestinta/?num=105377 |archive-date=25 May 2011}}</ref> In January 2009 it was announced that he had signed an extended contract that would keep him in charge of the Finland team through the [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012 European Championships]] campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stuart Baxter jatkaa Huuhkajien luotsina |language=fi |work=palloliitto.fi |publisher=Suomen Palloliitto |url=http://www.palloliitto.fi/viestinta/?num=134319 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525155005/http://www.palloliitto.fi/viestinta/?num=134319 |archive-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

In June 2010, Baxter was strongly linked with a possible director of football position at [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] to work alongside new manager [[Neil Lennon]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 2010 |title=Celtic approach Finland coach Stuart Baxter |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8722100.stm |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> however these hopes came to nothing as Celtic were unable to agree a settlement for Baxter's services with the [[Football Association of Finland]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Celtic Football Club statement |work=celticfc.net |publisher=Celtic FC |url=http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_030810111727.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007101921/http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_030810111727.aspx |archive-date=7 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 August 2010 |title=Celtic concede defeat over Stuart Baxter advisory role |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8877120.stm |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref>

During the autumn of 2010, the Finland national team lost important matches against [[Moldova national football team|Moldova]] and [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], which led to widespread hopes for Baxter's resignation made public by the national team supporters, the media and the country's leading football pundits.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jalkapallofanit ja vaikuttajat pettyneitä liiton Baxter-ratkaisuun |language=fi |work=hs.fi |publisher=HS |url=http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/jalkapallo/arvokisat/artikkeli/Jalkapallovaikuttajat+ja+fanit+pettyneit%C3%A4+liiton+Baxter-ratkaisuun/1135260926664 |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> It turned out, too, that Baxter had failed to establish communicative relationships with some of the key players in the squad, favouring certain players instead.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Eremenkon kritiikki vaikeuttaa Baxterin asemaa |language=fi |work=mtv3.fi |publisher=MTV3 |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/futis/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/futis/2010/10/1205769 |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> Baxter, however, refused to resign, attacking journalists for not understanding football well enough in order to evaluate his performance as a manager.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Baxter hermostui toimittajille – lue koko tilitys! |language=fi |work=Iltalehti.fi |publisher=Iltalehti |url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/jalkapallo/a/2010101212509610 |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> The Football Association of Finland did not sack Baxter either, citing, e.g., financial reasons.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Baxter jatkaa Huuhkajien peräsimessä |language=fi |work=hs.fi |publisher=HS |url=http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/jalkapallo/arvokisat/artikkeli/Baxter+jatkaa+Huuhkajien+per%C3%A4simess%C3%A4/1135260919908 |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> The Finland national team's position in [[FIFA World Rankings]] sank from 33 to 86 under Baxter's guidance<ref>{{Cite news |title=Suomi vajosi futislilliputtien joukkoon |language=fi |work=hs.fi |publisher=HS |url=http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/jalkapallo/arvokisat/artikkeli/Suomi+vajosi+futislilliputtien+joukkoon/1135261035658 |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> In November 2010, The Football Association of Finland announced that Baxter would no longer continue in his job as a manager of the national team.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ratkaisu tyydytti kaikkia osapuolia |language=fi |work=www.palloliitto.fi |publisher=Palloliitto |url=https://www.palloliitto.fi/jalkapallouutiset/muutokset-valmennuksessa-sopivat-baxterille-hyvin|access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref>

===Kaizer Chiefs===
On 7 May 2012, Baxter was announced as the new manager of South African club, [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stuart Baxter has been named the new Kaizer Chiefs coach |url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/news/stuart-baxter-has-been-named-the-new-kaizer-chiefs-coach/537418 |website=KickOff|date=7 May 2012 }}</ref> He started his duties in June 2012. In the first season under his management, the ''Amakhosi'' completed the double, finishing first in the [[2012–13 Premier Soccer League]] and defeating [[Supersport United]] 1–0 to win the [[Nedbank Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2013 |title=Amakhosi secure trophy double |publisher=Independent Online |url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/cup-competitions/amakhosi-secure-trophy-double-1.1521825#.UaMQ0JUp-QI |access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

The [[2013–14 South African Premier Division]] campaign ended in disappointment with the soweto based side failing to register a trophy despite occupying the top position in the league for the majority of the season. See Log for the previous League campaign:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standings ABSA Premiership 2013-2014 - Football |url=https://au.eurosport.com/football/absa-premiership/2013-2014/standing.shtml |website=Eurosport Australia}}</ref>

Chiefs, at the beginning of the [[2014–15 South African Premier Division]] were drawn against [[Mpumalanga Black Aces F.C.|Mpumalanga Black Aces]] in their first game of the cup competition the [[MTN 8]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chiefs thrash Black Aces &#124; IOL |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/chiefs-thrash-black-aces-1729725 |website=www.iol.co.za}}</ref> a match which they won 4–0 to progress to the semi-finals where they beat the defending champions [[Platinum Stars F.C.|Platinum Stars]] 2–0 and 3–0 respectively in both legs to set up a final with their Soweto counterparts and rivals [[Orlando Pirates F.C.|Orlando Pirates]]. During this period, Baxter led chiefs to nine wins in six of their league matches and also their three cup matches leading up to the final. Amakhosi's 10th victory in as many matches in all competitions this term was inspired by an unlikely source, captain [[Tefu Mashamaite]], who wore the armband in [[Itumeleng Khune]]'s absence and vindicated coach Baxter's decision to give him the role ahead of the more favoured [[Reneilwe Letsholonyane]]. Mashamaite, who captained his former club [[Bidvest Wits]] to the Nedbank Cup title in 2010, headed home the winner just before the half-hour mark against a Pirates side that seemed hypnotized for the better part of this match <ref>{{Cite web |title=Chiefs back to winning ways &#124; IOL |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/chiefs-back-to-winning-ways-1753979 |website=www.iol.co.za}}</ref> Baxter won his third trophy at the club in just his third season to start off yet another season with the MTN 8 trophy on Saturday 20 September 2014.

Baxter completed his second league and cup double with Kaizer Chiefs that season, after reclaiming the PSL league title from Sundowns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/kaizer-chiefs-are-the-2014-15-absa-premiership-champions/207543|title=Kaizer Chiefs Are the 2014/15 Absa Premiership Champions|date=22 April 2015}}</ref>

On 2 June 2015, Baxter left Kaizer Chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TimesLIVE |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2015/06/02/Chiefs-and-Stuart-Baxter-part-ways |website=TimesLIVE}}</ref>

===Genclerbirligi===
On 9 June 2015, Baxter joined Turkish club [[Genclerbirligi]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gençlerbirliği, İskoç teknik direktör Baxter'a emanet |language=tr |publisher=Fanatik |url=http://www.fanatik.com.tr/2015/06/09/genclerbirligi-iskoc-teknik-direktor-baxtera-emanet-606984 |access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2015 |title=Baxter Joins Gençlerbirliği |url=http://africanfootball.com/news/537905/Baxter-joins-Genclerbirligi |access-date=28 September 2015 |website=africanfootball.com |publisher=African Football}}</ref> but his contract was mutually terminated on 24 August 2015 after defeats in the first two games of the [[2015–16 Süper Lig|2015–16]] season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 August 2015 |title=7İlk giden Baxter oldu! |url=http://www.ntvspor.net/haber/haber-t/137180/ilk-ayrilik-genclerde |access-date=28 September 2015 |website=ntvspor.net |publisher=ntvspor |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Baxter ve ekibine teşekkürler |language=tr |publisher=Gençlerbirliği |url=http://www.genclerbirligi.org.tr/baxter-ve-ekibine-tesekkurler/ |access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>

===SuperSport United===
On 27 January 2016, Baxter was signed mid-season by [[SuperSport United]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Soccer Laduma, Kapeluschnik: SuperSport Wanted Baxter Pre-Chiefs |language=en |publisher=Soccer Laduma |url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/stuart-baxter-had-been-linked-to-supersport-united-before-he-joined-kaizer-chiefs-in-2012/225006 |access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref> That season Baxter led his side to [[Nedbank Cup]] glory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuperSport win Nedbank Cup title |url=https://www.supersport.com/football/nedbank-cup/news/160528/SuperSport_win_Nedbank_Cup_title |website=www.supersport.com}}</ref> The following season (2016/2017) would see Supersport United retain their Nedbank Cup trophy, beating [[Orlando Pirates]] again in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuperSport rout Pirates to retain Nedbank Cup |date=24 June 2017|url=https://citizen.co.za/phakaaathi/south-africa-soccer-phakaaathi-phakaaathi/1551327/supersport-rout-pirates-retain-nedbank-cup/}}</ref>

===Return to South Africa===
On 4 May 2017, Baxter was named as South Africa coach for a second time, replacing [[Ephraim Mashaba]], who was sacked in December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 May 2017 |title=Stuart Baxter named South Africa coach for second time |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39805294 |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> Under his guidance Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2019 AFCON tournament, and beat tournament favourites and hosts, Egypt in the round of 16, before being knocked out by Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ewn.co.za/2019/06/09/stuart-baxter-names-final-bafana-bafana-afcon-squad|title = Stuart Baxter names final Bafana Bafana Afcon squad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-07-11-renewed-calls-for-stuart-baxters-head-after-bafana-bafana-lose-to-nigeria/|title=Renewed calls for Stuart Baxter's head after Bafana Bafana lose to Nigeria|website=TimesLIVE}}</ref> He resigned in August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2019 |title=Stuart Baxter steps down as South Africa coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49204155 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Odisha===
On 19 June 2020, Baxter was announced as the head coach of [[Indian Super League]] club [[Odisha FC|Odisha]], on a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |title=Start Baxter appointed as Odisha FC coach |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/start-baxter-named-as-odisha-fc-coach-indian-super-league-isl-indian-football-news/article31870937.ece |access-date=19 June 2020 |website=Sportstar |date=19 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> However, he was sacked in February 2021 after complaining during a post-match interview about the refereeing in a defeat, saying that his players "would have to rape someone or get raped himself if he was going to get a penalty."<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2 February 2021|title=Stuart Baxter sacked by Indian football club Odisha after using rape analogy|work=[[The Guardian]]|agency=[[The Associated Press]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/02/stuart-baxter-sacked-by-indian-football-club-odisha-after-using-analogy|access-date=2 February 2021}}</ref>

===Kaizer Chiefs return===
In June 2021, Baxter rejoined Kaizer Chiefs for a second spell as head coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kaizer Chiefs confirm Stuart Baxter as new head coach |url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/kaizer-chiefs-confirm-stuart-baxter-as-new-head-coach/700546 |access-date=27 June 2021 |work=Kick Off |date=9 June 2021}}</ref> On 17 July 2021, he coached Kaizer Chiefs in their first [[2021 CAF Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] which they lost 3–0 against [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/57833344 |title=Egypt's Al Ahly beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 to win record tenth African crown |website=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2021 }}</ref>

===Boavista===
Baxter was appointed by Portugal side Boavista on a deal until June 2026.[https://boavistafc.pt/stuart-baxter-e-o-novo-treinador-do-boavista-fc/] He joined the club with five games left in 2024/25 season, with the club being five points away from qualifying for the relegation play-offs.[https://www.flashscore.pl/wiadomosci/pi-ka-nozna-liga-portugal-oficjalnie-stuart-baxter-nowym-trenerem-boavisty-porto-w-kryzysowym-sezonie/MZz6xq1C/]

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 11 August 2023}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record	
|-	
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}	
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}	
|-
|[[Halmstads BK]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}}
|1 January 1988
|31 December 1991
{{WDL|102|42|24|36|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]
|{{flagicon|Japan}}
|1 July 1992
|31 January 1995
{{WDL|98|51|0|47|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|{{flagicon|Japan}}
|1 February 1995
|31 January 1998
{{WDL|106|55|7|44|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[AIK Fotboll|AIK]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}}
|1 February 1998
|31 December 1999
{{WDL|61|30|20|11|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[F.C. Lyn Oslo|Lyn]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}}
|6 June 2001
|31 December 2001
{{WDL|17|5|5|7|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[England national under-19 football team|England U19]]
|{{flagicon|England}}
|1 January 2002
|1 January 2004
{{WDL|5|2|0|3|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|24 March 2004
|25 November 2005
{{WDL|17|7|3|7|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|{{flagicon|Japan}}
|1 February 2006
|4 September 2006
{{WDL|34|20|6|8|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Helsingborgs IF]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}}
|1 June 2006
|7 December 2007
{{WDL|15|10|5|0|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Finland national football team|Finland]]
|{{flagicon|Finland}}
|28 January 2008
|9 November 2010
{{WDL|29|8|5|16|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|1 July 2012
|2 June 2015
{{WDL|111|66|25|20|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]
|{{flagicon|Turkey}}
|9 June 2015
|24 August 2015
{{WDL|2|0|0|2|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[SuperSport United F.C.|SuperSport United]]
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|27 January 2016
|30 June 2017
{{WDL|68|34|21|13|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[South Africa national football team|South Africa]]
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|4 May 2017
|2 August 2019
{{WDL|20|8|4|8|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Odisha FC|Odisha]]
|{{flagicon|India}}
|1 August 2020
|2 February 2021
{{WDL|14|1|5|8|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
|{{flagicon|South Africa}}
|9 June 2021
|21 April 2022
{{WDL|26|11|6|9|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Helsingborgs IF]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}}
|19 April 2023
|31 December 2023
{{WDL|28|9|9|10|decimals=2}}
|-
|[[Boavista FC]]
|{{flagicon|Portugal}}
|16 April 2025
|present
{{WDL|5|2|0|3|decimals=2}}
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|758|361|145|252|decimals=2}}	
|}

==Family==
As well as his father [[Bill Baxter (Scottish footballer)|Bill]], Baxter has a son, [[Lee Baxter (footballer)|Lee]], who is also a former professional football player and now a goalkeeping-coach.

==Honours==

===Manager===
'''Halmstads'''
*[[Division 1 Södra]]: [[1988 Swedish football Division 1|1988]]<ref>{{ cite web | title = Odisha FC unveil Stuart Baxter as their new head coach | url = https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/odisha-fc-unveil-stuart-baxter-as-their-new-head-coach | publisher = [[Indian Super League]] | access-date = 23 April 2023 | date = 9 June 2020 }}</ref>

'''Sanfrecce Hiroshima'''
*[[J.League Championship|J1 League 1st Stage]] Champions: 1994<ref name = "leaves">{{ cite web | title = Stuart Baxter leaves as Kaizer Chiefs coach after title win | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32989467.amp | publisher = [[BBC]] Sport | access-date = 3 June 2015 | date = 9 June 2020 }}</ref>

'''AIK'''
*[[Allsvenskan]]: [[1998 Allsvenskan|1998]]
*[[Svenska Cupen]]: 1998–99

'''Vissel Kobe'''
* [[Japan Football League (1992–1998)|JFL]] / [[J2 League]] promotion: [[1996 Japan Football League|1996]], [[2006 J.League Division 2|2006]]<ref>{{ cite web | url = https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/baxter-loose-with-the-truth-1294320 | title = Baxter: loose with the truth | website = IOL News | access-date = 23 April 2023 | date = 11 May 2012 }}</ref>

'''Helsingborg'''
*[[Svenska Cupen]]: [[2006 Svenska Cupen|2006]]

'''Kaizer Chiefs'''
*[[Premier Soccer League]]: [[2012–13 Premier Soccer League|2012–13]], [[2014–15 South African Premier Division|2014–15]]<ref name = "leaves"/>
*[[Nedbank Cup]]: [[2012–13 Nedbank Cup|2012–13]]<ref name = "leaves"/>
*[[MTN 8]]: [[2014 MTN 8|2014]]<ref name = "leaves"/>

'''SuperSport United'''
* [[Nedbank Cup]]: [[2015–16 Nedbank Cup|2015–16]], [[2016–17 Nedbank Cup|2016–17]]

'''South Africa'''
* [[COSAFA Cup|COSAFA Cup Plate]]: [[2017 COSAFA Cup|2017]], [[2018 COSAFA Cup|2018]], [[2019 COSAFA Cup|2019]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2018 |title=Bafana Bafana win Plate final at 2018 COSAFA Cup |url=https://www.safa.net/2018/06/08/bafana-bafana-win-plate-final-2018-cosafa-cup/ |website=SAFA.net}}<br>{{Cite web |title=Bafana finish fifth at Cosafa Cup after slender win over Namibia in plate final |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2017-07-07-bafana-finish-fifth-at-cosafa-cup-after-slender-win-over-namibia-in-plate-final/ |website=TimesLIVE}}</ref>
* [[2018 Four Nations Tournament|Four Nations Cup]]: 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bafana beat Zambia to win Four Nations |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/Soccer/BafanaBafana/bafana-beat-zambia-to-win-four-nations-20180324 |website=Sport}}</ref>

=== Individual ===

* [[PSL Coach of the Season]]: [[2012–13 Premier Soccer League|2012–13]], [[2014–15 South African Premier Division|2014–15]]

==See also==
{{Commons category|Stuart Baxter}}
* [[List of residents of Wolverhampton]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{J.League manager}}

{{Boavista F.C. squad}}
{{Primeira Liga managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title = South Africa squads
| bg = #FFEF00
| fg = #007749
| bordercolor = #007749
| list = 
{{South Africa squad 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{South Africa squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Örebro SK managers}}
{{Halmstads BK managers}}
{{Sanfrecce Hiroshima managers}}
{{AIK Fotboll managers}}
{{Lyn Fotball managers}}
{{South Africa national soccer team managers}}
{{Vissel Kobe managers}}
{{Helsingborgs IF managers}}
{{Finland national football team managers}}
{{Kaizer Chiefs F.C. managers}}
{{Gençlerbirliği S.K. managers}}
{{SuperSport United F.C. managers}}
{{Odisha FC managers}}
{{Boavista F.C. managers}}
}}
{{PSL Coach of the Season}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baxter, Stuart}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Anglo-Scots]]
[[Category:English people of Scottish descent]]
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[[Category:People educated at Buckhaven High School]]
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[[Category:Finland national football team managers]]
[[Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Gençlerbirliği S.K. managers]]
[[Category:SuperSport United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Odisha FC managers]]
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[[Category:Eliteserien managers]]