AFC Leopards have opted to appoint a local head coach to take over the reins at the club after the departure of Patrick Aussems last week, club secretary general Gilbert Andugu has revealed.
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The 12-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions have ruled out the prospect of signing another foreign tactician with an announcement expected when the club’s top brass meet tomorrow.
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“We have plans that I can only disclose after we have held our meeting tomorrow with the club’s officials. In that meeting, we shall be able to make decisions concerning the new coach and also our transfer plan. However, we are not going to appoint a foreigner as our new coach but a locally-based tactician”, said Andugu.”
Andugu also revealed that the club has received numerous applications for the job but remained coy on whether former head coach Antony ‘Modo’ Kimani is the front-runner to take over from the Belgian.
“Before the end of the week our fans will have known who our new coach is and it is open that a lot of applications have trickled in and we will be assessing them.”
On that issue (Anthony Kimani returning to the club) I can’t reveal but as I have just told you after tomorrow’s meeting people will know who is the new head coach of AFC Leopards.” Andugu concluded.
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Aussems led Ingwe for three seasons with the club finishing seventh in the just-concluded KPL season.
With Leopards last winning the league title over two decades ago, the new tactician will have his work cut out for him as he will be tasked with steering Ingwe to regain its lost glory both at the local and continental stage.
Patrick Aussem’s saga with AFC Leopards
Patrick Aussems announced that he will not renew his contract with AFC Leopards, citing personal and private reasons.
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Speculation had been rife about Aussems’ future with the club, with reports indicating that Leopards owed him money and that he had demanded payment before committing to a contract renewal. Aussems’ decision brings an end to his successful tenure with the club.
Patrick Aussems announcement
“For personal and private reasons l won’t be able to renew my contract with AFC Leopards! Thanks to my players, my staff, and the incredible fans for the last 2 years! I wish Ingwe all the best! Asante sana,” Aussems said in a statement on his official Twitter.
During his time at AFC Leopards, the club could not register players severally due to transfer bans. Aussems led the team to a seventh-place finish in the current season, while last season they had a sixth-place finish. In the 2020/21 season, the team achieved a fourth-place finish.
Aussems received praise for instilling an attractive style of play and transforming the way Leopards approached the game.
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Prior to his stint at AFC Leopards, Aussems had an illustrious coaching career with various clubs and national teams around the world.
Holding coaching qualifications, he coached teams such as The Capricorn in Reunion and Beaucaire in France.
He also served as the coach of the professional team of the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon before joining the professional staff of SCO Angers.
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In 2006, Aussems became the Technical Director of CIFAS Benin in Cotonou and later assumed the role of the National Technical Director of the Benin Football Federation and national coach in 2007.
Under his guidance, Benin participated in three successive African Cup of Nations tournaments, a remarkable achievement for the small West African nation.
In 2009, Aussems took on the role of coach at Évian Thonon Gaillard Football Club in France, leading the team to become the National Champion and securing promotions to Ligue 2 and subsequently Ligue 1.
He then embarked on coaching assignments in China, first with Shenzhen Ruby FC in the Chinese Super League and later with FC Chengdu Blades in China League One.
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In 2014, Aussems joined AC Leopard Dolisie in Congo-Brazzaville, where he guided the team to the Congo league title with an impressive record of 13 points ahead, no losses, and only one goal conceded.
He also steered AC Leopard to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup 2014. Aussems later had a short stint with AL Hilal in Sudan before joining Simba S.C. in Tanzania in 2018.
