Leopards coach Marin 'failed to co-exist' with players and bench
AFC Leopards head coach Dorian Marin (left) and his assistant Dennis Kitambi look on during their SportPesa Super Cup final match against Gor Mahia at Uhuru Stadium on June 11, 2017. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Struggling Ingwe make 13th coach appointment in four years.
- Leopards explain way Romanian coach was shown door just days into his new job.
- Juma becomes the 14th coach to be appointed by Leopards in four years.
AFC Leopards management have said coach Dorian Marin had to go because his stay in the locker room had become untenable.
The Romanian trainer, 57, was shown the door this week after just 13 days in charge where he oversaw two matches.
He, however, had not signed a formal contract with Leopards.
Club secretary Oscar Igaida said the former Eritrea coach had failed to co-exist with the players and technical bench members during his short stint.
“We received several complaints, especially from players about his training methods and tactics. In the end, it was in our best interests to go separate ways,” explained Igaida.
JUMA IN CHARGE
Igaida though could not explain what AFC Leopards had seen in the Romanian in the first place to consider his services. Marin was previously based in Syria.
The Leopards’s official said the club’s former midfielder and international Tom Juma takes over on an interim basis.
Juma becomes the 14th coach to be appointed by Leopards in four years. Marin, meanwhile, pleaded for an opportunity to continue coaching the team.
“This club has some amazing players and if handed a chance, I wish to nurture them into top talents capable of playing in Europe. I left a good job in Syria to come here because I am certain of transforming Leopards into a dominant force in this region as was the case 20 years ago,” Marin explained.
Marian was brought in on June 8 to replace Englishman Stewart Hall who only lasted eight months at the club.
Marin’s stint is, however, longer than that of Vitor Salvado, who was fired by Leopards hours after being hired back in 2013, amid reports the Portuguese didn’t meet the qualification criteria.
Leopards, who are currently placed 12th on the SportPesa Premier League standings after 14 rounds of matches, next face Kariobangi Sharks in the league on July 1.
AFC Leopards coaches over the years
Jan Koops: June 2011 – December 2012
Tom Olaba: Jan 2013 – April 2013
Luc Eymael: April 2013 – September 2013
James Nandwa: September 2013 – April 2014
Washingtone Muhanji: April 2014
Juma Abdallah: May 2014 – June 2014
Pietter De Jongh: June 2014 – January 2015
Zdravko Logarusic: February 2015 – September 2015
Jan Koops: Oct 2015 – Jan 2016
Ivan Minnaert: Feb 2016 – September 2016
Ezekiel Akwana: Oct 2016 – Oct 2016
Stewart Hall: November 2016 – May 2017
Dorian Marin: June 2017
