Leopards sack coach De Jongh
AFC Leopards have fired their head coach Pieter De Jongh ending what has been a troubled marriage with the Dutchman.
Club chairman Allan Kasavuli announced De Jongh’s sacking on Sunday at a poorly attended club’s Special General Meeting in Nairobi.
“We have sent the entire technical bench packing. De Jongh will not be part of the team next year. We have begun rebuilding ahead of next season and we want to get things right before 2015,” Kasavuli said.
The Dutch tactician took charge of Leopards in May- mid-way through the first leg of the ended campaign from James Nandwa whom the club relived of his duties in the wake of a disastrous run.
De Jongh however failed to guide Ingwe to any silverware in what turned out to be a difficult season as the team finished seventh on 41 points.
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
The 44-year-old’s major highlight of the season was masterminding a 3-1 mauling of Gor Mahia in the first leg Mashemeji derby in June and reaching the finals of the KPL Top 8 tournament where Ingwe lost 2-1 to Tusker.
The SGM was called to discuss the club’s financial report of the year ended but the agenda was not tackled owing to lack of quorum.
In the last three seasons, Leopards have challenged for the title only to fall short. Their failure has been blamed on administrative issues and the lack of a commanding tactician with all previous coaches failing to stamp their authority in the dressing room.
De Jongh’s sacking comes in the wake of that of his deputy Juma Abdalalh who was given the boot slightly under a month ago alongside goalkeeping trainer Washington Muhanji. Abdallah has since been replaced by former Harambee Stars assistant coach Yusuf Chippo.