University of Pretoria boss Steve Barker believes his uncle - Clive Barker - is the right man for the job, after Clive took over from Antonio Lopez as head coach of Bidvest Wits on Friday.

Wits on Friday terminated Lopez's contract by mutual consent, with Clive Barker taking over until the end of the season, according to the club's official website.

"I was a bit surprised. I didn't expect the decision to get rid of the coach," Steve Barker said.

"It's a good appointment. Clive has got experience, he's been around and he is the type of person that can galvanise and motivate a team to play to their full potential.

"It was a very interesting choice but at the end of the day, a good one."

Wits' chief executive Jose Ferreira said the decision to end the Spaniard's contract was due to personal reason's given by Lopez.

"Antonio Lopez has requested that, due to personal and private reasons, he be released from his contract, due to expire at the end of the season," Ferreira's statement said.

"We have acceded to his request and we are in the process of finalising the necessary paperwork in this regard."

Lopez, who previously coached Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Celta Vigo and Valencia in the Spanish La Liga, lasted only five months in charge of the Clever Boys, after the club cut their ties with Roger de Sa, who is now head coach of Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.

"It was surprising, I don't think five months in a job is enough time for a coach to impose his ideas and philosophies on the team," Steve Barker added.

"Clive has his work cut out. He has a big task on his hands because Wits are very ambitious.

"Wits have showed their intention that they want to match the big clubs in the market with the appointment of certain big players.

"But if there is anybody that can get the best out of their players it is Clive Barker.

"To come in and change things rapidly I think he is definitely the right person with his motivational skills and his ability to get the best out of the players that he has at his disposal."

Clive Barker, a former coach of AmaZulu and Santos, guided South Africa to their only Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in 1996 and will be assisted by Andre Arendse, who will fulfil these duties together with his existing duties as goalkeeper coach.

Steve Barker said although he and his uncle did not speak often, he was looking forward to the challenge of meeting Clive in a competitive environment on and off the field.

"We don't speak much. On occasion when we do meet or bump into each other we definitely do chat," Barker said.

"On a personal note, I always admired and respected Clive for what he has achieved.

"I've always said that if I could just emulate half of what he has achieved in South African football, I would do well for myself.

"To have a nephew and uncle coaching against each other is always something I've wanted to have the opportunity of doing.

"In a couple of month's time it'll definitely be nice to come up against somebody that has been close to me and who I have respect for."

Barker is set to start working with the team starting Monday, as the student side continue their preparations ahead of the resumption of the Premiership season on February 12, following the Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosted by South Africa.

They resume their league campaign when they face Black Leopards in Polokwane on February 13.

Lopez guided the team to four wins, seven draws and five losses during his tenure, with his last match in charge, a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars on December 19 in Johannesburg.

Wits are currently ninth in the Premiership standings, with 19 points from 16 games.