Ex-Finland coach Stuart Baxter joins Kaizer Chiefs

South African giant Kaizer Chiefs have hired former Finland coach Stuart Baxter on a two-year contract.

Chiefs say Baxter, who also coached South Africa in 2004-05 and England's under-19s team, was introduced to the club's board on Monday. Chiefs have the option to extend his contract after two seasons.

The Soweto-based Chiefs, arguably South Africa's most famous team, fired Vladimir Vermezovic of Serbia this season.

Chiefs have not won South Africa's league title since 2005 and are nine points behind leaders and Johannesburg rivals Orlando Pirates with three games to play.

The 58-year-old Baxter, who also managed in Sweden, Japan and Norway, said he is looking forward to ''a challenging but exciting project.''